The Withdrawal Agreement Final Text: An Overview for Brexit Enthusiasts
As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union, one of the most contentious aspects of the process has been the negotiation of a Withdrawal Agreement. After months of intense talks, a final text has now been agreed upon by both parties. In this article, we`ll take a closer look at what this agreement means and what its key provisions are.
What is the Withdrawal Agreement?
At its core, the Withdrawal Agreement is a legal document that sets out the terms of the UK`s departure from the EU. It covers a wide range of issues, including citizens` rights, the financial settlement, and the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
Citizens` Rights: The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that EU citizens currently living in the UK and UK citizens living in EU member states will be able to continue to live, work, and study in their respective countries. It also sets out a mechanism for the protection of their rights in the future.
Financial Settlement: The UK has agreed to pay a « divorce bill » of €35-39 billion to the EU to settle obligations it has accrued during its membership. This includes contributions to the EU budget, pension liabilities, and other commitments.
Border between Ireland and Northern Ireland: The agreement includes a « backstop » provision that would come into effect if a future trade agreement between the UK and the EU did not include a solution to the border issue. The backstop would ensure that there is no hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and would involve the UK remaining in a customs union with the EU until a solution is found.
What Happens Next?
Although a final text has been agreed upon, there are still several hurdles that must be overcome before the Withdrawal Agreement can come into effect. The agreement must be approved by the UK and EU Parliaments, and the UK must also pass a series of domestic laws to give effect to the agreement.
Conclusion
The Withdrawal Agreement Final Text represents a significant milestone in the UK`s departure from the EU. It provides clarity on a number of key issues, but there is still much work to be done before it can become a reality. For Brexit enthusiasts, it will be important to keep a close eye on further developments in the coming months.