Four months after the exit from the EU, the European Parliament has now confirmed the Brexit trade agreement. A legal foundation is thus established – but there are still points of friction.
The European Parliament has announced its decision to ratify the Brexit trade pact with Great Britain. As expected, the Bureau agreed to the contract, said Parliament President David Sassoli in Brussels. The contract, which has only been applied provisionally so far, can therefore come into force on May 1st.
A long struggle comes to an end
The trade and cooperation agreement received an overwhelming majority of 660 of the 697 votes cast, ending the tough and nerve-wracking struggle for the UK to exit the EU in an orderly manner. The aim was to prevent a hard break with legal uncertainty and chaos at the borders. Specifically, the contract includes rules on fishing as well as cooperation on energy, transport, justice, police and many other topics. The pact gives Great Britain access to the EU internal market. In return, the EU demanded fair competition – the so-called level playing field. What is meant are the same environmental, social and subsidy standards.
The issue of fisheries only provisionally resolved
An important sticking point in the negotiations was the access of EU fishermen to British waters. A transition period of five and a half years was agreed, during which EU fishermen are allowed to fish 25 percent less in British waters. This should then be determined annually. In the parliamentary debate on Tuesday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recognized the contract and promoted its acceptance. The agreement protects the rights of the citizens, prevents significant breaks for the economy, safeguards the EU internal market and EU standards.
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