Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Full Text: What You Need to Know

With the long-awaited Brexit finally becoming a reality, the terms of the United Kingdom`s departure from the European Union have been a major topic of discussion. The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which outlines the terms of the UK`s separation from the EU, has recently been released in full for the public to view. In this article, we`ll examine the key points of the agreement and what it means for the UK and the EU.

The agreement was first negotiated between the UK government and the EU in November 2018, and was approved by both the UK and EU parliaments in January 2020. It officially came into force on January 31, 2020, at which point the UK left the EU.

One major point of the agreement is that the UK will continue to follow EU regulations and standards during a transition period that lasts until December 31, 2020. During this time, the UK and EU will negotiate a new trade agreement. If no agreement is reached by the end of the transition period, there may be significant disruptions to trade between the UK and EU.

The agreement also addresses the issue of the border between Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (which is part of the EU). The agreement prioritizes preserving the peace process in Northern Ireland, and therefore keeps the border between the two countries open. However, this means that Northern Ireland will continue to follow some EU regulations, which has been a controversial issue in the UK.

Another significant aspect of the agreement is the financial settlement that the UK must pay to the EU. This settlement covers the UK`s financial obligations to the EU, such as its share of the EU budget and payments to EU institutions and agencies. The amount of the settlement is estimated to be around £39 billion.

There are also provisions in the agreement for citizens` rights, such as the ability of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU to continue to work and reside in their respective countries. Additionally, the agreement addresses issues related to security and law enforcement cooperation between the UK and EU.

Overall, the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement represents a significant step in the UK`s departure from the EU. While there are still many details to be worked out, the agreement provides a framework for the UK and EU to negotiate their future relationship. As the transition period comes to a close, it will be important to closely monitor the negotiations and their impact on trade, citizens` rights, and other key issues.