European Union and UK reach new Brexit agreement

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have announced, on Thursday, in a joint press statement, that the European Union and the United Kingdom have reached a new Brexit agreement, a document that excludes any need to postpone once again the divorce between London and Brussels.

At the autumn European Council, which started this afternoon in Brussels, European leaders are expected to support the agreement, which will have to be approved by both the European Parliament and the British Parliament.

As Head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said, new agreement is correct and balanced and recommends that European leaders agree upon the document.

On the other side, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on British MPs to back the agreement so that Brexit can take place on October 31.

Compromise in the agreement on UK's exit from the EU, by amending protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, states that Northern Ireland will remain aligned with certain European single market rules, but will be part of the UK customs territory.

There will be no customs controls on the island of Ireland, which are to be carried out in ports on mainland Britain. For goods moving from the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland as a final destination, no EU tariffs will be apply.

No EU tariffs will be charged for personal goods carried by passengers across the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Unlike the back-stop solution from the previous agreement rejected by the British Parliament, there will be no need for the new protocol now agreed to be replaced by a subsequent agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which represents a substantial concession made by the Europeans.

New agreement must also be approved by the British legislature by a vote scheduled for Saturday, the result of which is uncertain.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei