Withdrawal Agreement 25 November

• 07 November 2021
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The Withdrawal Agreement of 25 November 2018, also known as the Brexit Deal, was a milestone in the ongoing negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union over the terms of Britain`s departure from the EU. It was the culmination of two years of arduous discussions and debates.

The agreement outlined the main provisions for the UK`s transition out of the EU, including the Irish border backstop, the financial settlement, and citizens` rights. It was designed to provide a smooth and orderly exit for the UK, while minimizing the economic and social disruptions that Brexit could cause.

One of the most controversial aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement was the Irish backstop. This mechanism was intended to prevent the re-establishment of a hard border between Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (which is an EU member state). It stipulated that, if a future trade agreement between the UK and the EU failed to avoid a hard border, then Northern Ireland would remain aligned with the EU`s customs rules and regulations, effectively creating a regulatory barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The financial settlement, or “divorce bill,” was another contentious issue in the negotiations. It required the UK to pay a sum of money to the EU to cover outstanding financial commitments it had made as an EU member state. The exact amount of the bill was subject to much debate but was eventually settled at around £39 billion.

The Withdrawal Agreement also addressed the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU. It guaranteed their rights to reside, work, and access healthcare, education, and social benefits in the country where they currently lived. It also allowed for mutual recognition of professional qualifications and facilitated the transfer of pensions.

The Withdrawal Agreement was approved by the European Council and the UK government, but it failed to gain the support of the UK Parliament. It was voted down three times, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May and a delay in the UK`s departure from the EU.

The Withdrawal Agreement of 25 November 2018 was a critical moment in the Brexit negotiations, but its failure to gain parliamentary approval has left the outcome of Brexit uncertain. The negotiations continue, and it remains to be seen what form the UK`s departure from the EU will take and what implications it will have for the UK and the EU.