Lets bring you some breaking news now in the past half hour, borisjohnson has announced that the uk and the eu have struck a Brexit Agreement. Writing on twitter, the Prime Minister said weve got a great new deal that takes back control , now parliament should get brexit done on saturday so we can move on to other priorities. well, the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, said it was a fair and balanced agreement for the eu and the uk. However, the democratic unionists whose 10 votes the government might need to get the deal approved in the commons have said in response that they remain opposed to the deal. Let us been to chris, who is keeping gcioss let us been to chris, who is keeping across all of the developments here in the European Council. We had the following over the past half an hour some of the developments that have been coming in. Michelle bernier same as we have a deal, they were talking about whether as a builder isa talking about whether as a builder is a deal. But it does not solve everything for Prime MinisterBoris Johnson, what you think is going to be his First Priority . What we have is clearly a broad political deal between the Member States of the European Union, including the uk. But we have been here before, do not forget. Last year. Theresa may announced the same thing and that subsequently rejected three times in the house of commons and the next big question of course is can this deal, and we have not getting a legal text of it with all the detail, can it get through the house of commons . The indications we have had so farfrom of commons . The indications we have had so far from the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland is that they are sticking with the state m e nts is that they are sticking with the statements they made earlier this morning, which was that as things stand they cannot accept what is on the table. How things change between then and now crash mark we do not know. But certainly in the last three minutes a day you pmp has two bbc Northern Ireland at their position has not changed up and without the dup the numbers and has a commons of the guide difficult for the payments. I think we need to wait and save it has Something Else up wait and save it has Something Else up his sleeve. Mps are going to deceive the legal text of an agreement. To see exactly what it says an issue of customs, consent, seeking a democratic approval of the Northern Ireland assembly and chemical forward Northern Ireland assembly and chemicalforward from Northern Ireland assembly and chemical forward from there. On the eu side, i think i will be thinking this is the second time we have come toa this is the second time we have come to a deal, let us hope this one actually sticks. Let me meet elizabeth. Jean claude younger says there is a deal, it is fair and balance. I recommend that the European Council endorsed this deal. So, talk our viewers through, if they do endorse this deal how they get through all that tax that has not been released and have it translated in time to try and ratified over between either today oi ratified over between either today or tomorrow . In terms of the complex legal text, you are right, this is detailed treaty text which technocrats and lawyers and 20th capitals will need to go through with a buying to come. So, i think what we were year from political leaders as the broad approval. We heard from angler michael and Emmanuel Macron yesterday. They have a deal can be done. The Technical Details still need to be looked at. It is worth remembering, of course, that 90 of this deal is exactly the same as a Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by theresa mays government. An agreement which is firstly criticised by among others borisjohnson. But firstly criticised by among others Boris Johnson. But it firstly criticised by among others borisjohnson. But it is the key thing is the irish backstop which we know have changed. Hold that thought, we want to bring our fears. Are the years. Translation on the does make this as a result of intensive work, and the part of the two negotiating teams and i would like to thank them in person. Obviously the british team and our own team for their tenacity and professionalism. I would also like to point to the result from a european side on the basis of permanent dialogue and real confidence that has been built of the last three years but the 27 Member States, but the European Parliament. I can tell you, as you know, we really has built our positions together on our side and this new agreement. This agreement has been agreed between negotiators, with michaelj. This morning with Prime Ministerjohnson, he concluded this until present this later on at the European Council of 27. I would also like to offer my personal thanks to him for his confidence of the last three years. I would like to thank present donald tusk. That is who i would like to thank. This text should provide Legal Certainty in every area. Where brexit, like any separation, creates uncertainty. And in particular, and first foremost, or its citizens, for european citizens in the United Kingdom and better citizens living in one of our Member States. These citizens have always been and will remain our priority. European citizens living in one of our Member States. Uncertainty for the senses since has been going on for two long. Thanks to this agreement the right spot at last be guaranteed on a sustainable basis. We also have certainty for a full host of project leaders receiving funding from the eu budget on the 27 Member States and in the United Kingdom. That is because thanks to this agreement, financial commitments already undertaken between 28 will still be respected and honoured between 28. We also have certainty for all individuals and businesses affected by all the other issues involved any separation. The first press co nfe re nce separation. The First Press Conference i gave three years ago that the social, human, legal, economical and technical consequences would be numerous. So, for all these various individuals and businesses concerned from now on their will be more certainty and thinking about protection of existing intellectual property rights, protection of geographical indications, protection of personal data. Lastly, this proposal also covers the transition period. Which was requested by the British Government and which will last until the end of 2020. So, 14 months from fiow. The end of 2020. So, 14 months from now. And that may last one or two years further. Subject to joint agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Ladies and gentlemen, the uk government has wanted to withdraw one point. A key point. The question of the protocol on ireland and Northern Ireland. Throughout these negotiations their uk and the eu were fully committed to protect piece, to protect stability on the island of ireland. We add to reconcile two objectives. First, include legally operative solution enables droll agreement that would avoid a hard border between ireland and Northern Ireland. Preserve the whole island economy and protect the integrity of the Single Market. Secondly, a point extremely important to Prime Minister johnson extremely important to Prime Ministerjohnson and the uk, was that Northern Ireland remains in the uks customs territory. Discussions over the past days had at times been difficult. But we have delivered. And we have delivered together. The solution that we found rests on four main elements. Numberone, Northern Ireland will remain aligned to a limited set of eu rules, notably related to goods. This means that all applicable procedures and goods will take place at the points of entry into Northern Ireland and not across the island. For this purpose, uk authorities will be in charge of applying the unions customs code in Northern Ireland. Number two, applying the unions customs code in Northern Ireland. Numbertwo, they arent applicable procedures there is also the questions of customs duties. Northern ireland will remain in the uks customs territory, it will therefore benefit from that uks future trade policy. But Northern Ireland will also remain an entry point into our Single Market. So, what have we done to square this circle . Uk authorities can apply uk tariffs on products coming from third country, so long as those goods entering Northern Ireland are not at risk of entering our Single Market. However, or it goods at risk of entering the Single Market, uk authorities will apply the eus tariffs. Number three, this authorities will apply the eus tariffs. Numberthree, this night and this morning also, we were working on the issue of the 80. It is an important subject to avoid distortion of competition within the Single Market for good. The issue of vat. We have maintained. And finally, number four, prime of vat. We have maintained. And finally, numberfour, Prime Minister johnson and the taioseach wanted to confirm Long Term Support for releva nt confirm Long Term Support for Relevant Union rules in Northern Ireland. Four years after the entering of forster protocol, the elected representatives of Northern Ireland will be able to decide by simple majority whether to continue applying Relevant Union rules and Northern Ireland or not. This democratic support is a cornerstone of our newly agreed approach. Why . Because this newly agreed protocol is no longer to be replaced by a subsequent agreement between the eu and the uk. So, it makes sense to ensure consent. Ladies and gentlemen, obviously when discussing Northern Ireland we talk about the economy, about technical matters, about goods, but let me state very frankly that for me since day one, since three years, what really matters at the people. The people of Northern Ireland and ireland. What really matters is peace. Translation beyond the separation a jewel agreement we have also arrived at an agreement we have also arrived at an agreement and it is equally important in my eyes to revise the political declaration which should be adopted by the European Council and the parliament. This will be quite precise framework for negotiations which will now open to build, rebuild a future Ambitious Partnership at the United Kingdom. A friend, partner, ali, country. On this point, Boris Johnsons government has made a clear choice with respect to the future of economic relationship and that is a choice of a Free Trade Agreement. Any reference to other options, particularly the option of creating a single customs territory between us a single customs territory between us has been discarded. What does not change, on the other hand, is, if i competitor spec, our geographical proximity. Which is for the long term. This does not change our interdependence at the uk economy, which is very strong. I may put it this way. We have agreed on solid guarantees for the level playing failed to facilitate an ambitious Free Trade Agreement. That is without tariffs and quotas. On this point i would like to testify, having discussed this often when i visited various parts of the European Union, to the fact that all Member States, the European Parliament, National Parliament and obviously businesses, members of the Business Community whom i have met has paid a great deal of attention and will continue to do so in terms of having a comment pillar as it will apply at the end of the transition for social rights, environment protection, state aid and taxation matters. In some, the level of ambition of our future Free Trade Agreement will be very much proportionate to the level and qualities of the economic ground rules that will operate between us at the European Union and the United Kingdom. I have talked about the agreement that we were right out over these very intensive days and even nights of negotiation, the checks of the agreement is now available. I hope you enjoy reading it. On the basis of the analysis that will set out later on with president Jean Claude Juncker to the European Council. Which we have arrived at, is that together we have come up with a pair and reasonable results, which corresponds to our principles on the european side to stop it is now for the European Council to assess the content of that agreement and if it so wishes to approve the agreement and that also applies the european apartment. I would like to thank the European Parliament for its confidence and it is the parliament which will have the last word. We will be following through that process as of today, we do not have any dice left on the basis of dialogue and respect for oui basis of dialogue and respect for our institutions. By way of conclusion, i would like to say and that was the subject of my work and ambition over the last years, we finally had a pair and reasonable basis for an ordered withdrawal of the United Kingdom. It is much better than a disordered patrol and ifi better than a disordered patrol and if i can put it this way, above all we hope that as of the 1st of november, as soon as possible, we can november, as soon as possible, we ca n start november, as soon as possible, we can start working on a new partnership at the United Kingdom. I would like to thank you for your attention. Thank you very much, we had time for about four questions. As has been said, all the information is available online. The irish times, is it possible for a deal agreed at this late stage to be ratified by ratified by european leaders at the summit . But they have to call another summit to look at the legal tax and finally formalises . Translation i think we need to be covered by the time that we use. There will be no ratification in the council, but we have done everything we can, including in the past days and nights to ensure that the council today will be able to give a favourable opinion on the recommendation that we together with president Jean Claude Juncker will give them about the state of negotiations and the draft agreement. It is a draft. As i said at the end of my presentation, on oui at the end of my presentation, on our side we need to cancel to formally approve the agreement after the ep has ratified it. That is the process which will be followed. And yes, as i said in my presentation, there should be no surprises here. Much of the final text can also be found in the agreement that was put forward almost a year ago, so are the priority we give to citizens rights, certain financial matters amongst others. But there are some new elements. Including on ireland and Northern Ireland, which i imagine interested in most. And in the political declaration, as well. But answering yes to your question. Idid, what but answering yes to your question. I did, what i did to ensure Member States would be about one. Weve had several meetings at 27 of the ambassadors and yesterday i met them