The EU Withdrawal Agreement December 2020: What You Need to Know
The end of 2020 marked a significant moment in history for the United Kingdom as it officially left the European Union on December 31st, 2020. The EU Withdrawal Agreement, signed by both parties, delivered a framework for future relations between the UK and the EU, as well as the legal grounds for the UK`s departure.
The agreement, which was ratified by both the EU and the UK`s parliaments, covers various areas including trade, data protection, security and law enforcement, and citizens` rights. As part of the agreement, the UK was able to secure a free trade agreement with the EU, avoiding the potential for tariffs and quotas.
One key area addressed in the agreement was the status of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU. The Withdrawal Agreement provides for their rights to continue as they were before the UK`s departure, including access to healthcare, education, and social security. However, there have been some issues with the implementation of this agreement, with many EU citizens experiencing long delays in obtaining settled status in the UK.
Another significant area addressed in the agreement was Northern Ireland. The Withdrawal Agreement includes provisions for a customs border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, avoiding the need for a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Additionally, it allows Northern Ireland to remain aligned with some rules of the EU`s single market to avoid a hard border.
Despite the agreement, there are still uncertainties surrounding future relations between the UK and the EU. Some of the provisions in the agreement are subject to review and potential revision in the future, dependent on how well the UK and the EU continue to work together.
In conclusion, the EU Withdrawal Agreement December 2020 marked a major step forward in securing a framework for the UK`s departure from the EU. It provides legal clarity and certainty for citizens and businesses in the UK and the EU, while also allowing for future cooperation. However, challenges remain, and it will be important for both parties to continue to work together in the years to come.