The EU's
response
to Brexit
The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020 at midnight (CET), when the withdrawal agreement entered into force.
"We have always deeply regretted the UK’s decision to leave but we have always fully respected it, too. The agreement we reached is fair for both sides and ensures that millions of EU and UK citizens will continue to have their rights protected in the place they call home."
Op-ed article by Presidents Charles Michel, David Sassoli and Ursula von der Leyen on 31 January 2020
From the moment the UK’s referendum result was announced, the EU underlined that it would respect Britain’s decision. A joint statement issued immediately after the result said:
There have been many rounds of talks since then, and from the start, the EU was ready to negotiate as soon as the UK had notified its intention to withdraw. As the EU treaties foresee the possibility of a withdrawal in the now well-known Article 50, the process was well defined.
There have been complex matters to resolve, but the priority has been to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK in order to reduce uncertainty and disruption for citizens, businesses and member states alike.
And throughout, the EU has consistently stood by its determination to be united, transparent in its position and prepared for the future, and to do everything in an orderly way and within the legal framework defined by the EU treaties.
The outcome of the
negotiations has two parts.
The first is, like any ‘divorce’, fundamentally a question of settling the terms.
This is reflected in a formal withdrawal agreement. It includes matters like the protection of rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU, the financial settlement between the UK and EU, and guarantees to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This document ensures an orderly withdrawal and includes a transition period that allows citizens and business to adapt to the changes.
The withdrawal agreement was concluded by the Council on 30 January 2020, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.
The second part is a political declaration setting out the framework of the future relations between the EU and UK.
The EU wants to have the closest possible partnership with the UK, which would cover trade and economic cooperation, security and defence, among other areas.
Both to settle the divorce and to prepare for the future,
the EU has been united, transparent and prepared.
Photos/Credits
Heading: Adobe Stock, used under licence
Timeline
- Donald Tusk: Reuters. Photographer: Kacper Pempel
- Theresa May: Reuters. Photographer: Christopher Furlong/Pool
- Michel Barnier: Reuters. Photographer: Eric Vidal
- David Davis: Reuters. Photographer: Francois Lenoir
Graph: Adapted from illustration by Isaac Zakar, used under licence from Shutterstock.com
Other photos: © European Union
All images subject to copyright
Last updated 31 January 2020
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