The post-Brexit trade deal with the United Kingdom was signed formally on Wednesday. As the European Union’s top officials confirmed, the long fought-over process is over, The Associated Press has learned.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and president of the European Council Charles Michel put their signatures on the post-Brexit trade agreement with the United Kingdom.
On Wednesday, the brief signature ceremony took place in Brussels. After that, the documents will be signed by the UK prime minister. The RAF plane will deliver the deal for Boris Johnson’s signature.
According to the EC president, the deal is the result of months of intense negotiations in which the European Union has displayed an unprecedented level of unity.
“It is a fair and balanced agreement that fully protects the fundamental interests of the European Union and creates stability and predictability for citizens and companies,” Michel added.
The 1,240-page post-Brexit deal was sealed by the EU and the UK on Christmas Eve, just a week before the year-end deadline. The European Parliament’s members said they would not seek full approval until March because of the specific and far-reaching implications of the post-Brexit deal.
The overwhelming expectation is that EU lawmakers will approve the deal, said Michel. “On major issues, the European Union stands ready to work shoulder to shoulder with the United Kingdom,” the EU official added.
