The presidents of the European Council and the European Commission have formally signed the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ahead of Britain’s departure from the EU next week.
Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen put their signatures to the document in Brussels after the Queen gave royal assent to the legislation implementing the agreement on Thursday.
The European Parliament is now expected to vote to approve the agreement on Wednesday, paving the way for the UK to leave on Friday next week, January 31.
It will mark the start of an 11-month transition period, during which the UK will continue to follow EU rules, before the final break with Brussels at the end of the year.
Gavin Cordon is PA Whitehall Editor.
Boris Johnson has said that he wants to negotiate a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU by the end of the year.
However, Mrs von der Leyen and other senior EU figures have warned the Government’s stated intention to end the UK’s alignment with EU regulations means it will be impossible to achieve within such a tight timetable.
Today I signed the UK Withdrawal Agreement for the EU together with @vonderleyen
Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain. We start a new chapter as partners and allies.
Hâte d’écrire ensemble cette nouvelle page. pic.twitter.com/a7zmGeBwZS
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) January 24, 2020
The Prime Minister, however, remains upbeat, insisting Britain can now move forward after years of wrangling over Brexit.
“At times it felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we’ve done it,” he said.
“Now we can put the rancour and division of the past three years behind us and focus on delivering a bright, exciting future.”
