The referendum was on Tuesday, but the results of the vote were known only this morning, as expected in yesterday’s debate, with a majority of MEPs in favor. And This is the way to vote: 660 people said “yes”, five people voted against, and there were 32 votes.
The EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom was later ratified by the European Parliament, establishing a new framework for relations between them in the post-Brexit period.
The chairman of the commission and the chairman of the European Council have already voted in favor of MEPs on Twitter, endorsing the deal.
“About DCA [Acordo de Comércio e Cooperação EU-Reino Unido) marca a fundação de uma parceria estreita e forte com o Reino Unido“, tuitou Ursula von der Leyen acrescentando que é essencial a “implementação fiel” do acordo.
Já Charles Michel anunciou que o acordo é “um grande passo em frente” nas relações entre a UE e o Reino Unido e dá início a uma “nova era”.
Também o primeiro-ministro britânico Boris Johnson reagiu à votação favorável da maioria dos eurodeputados, assinalando a “etapa final de uma longa jornada” que irá proporcionar estabilidade ao novo relacionamento com a UE “como parceiros comerciais vitais, aliados próximos e iguais soberanos“.
“Agora é a hora de olhar para o futuro e construir uma Grã-Bretanha mais global”, acrescentou Boris Johnson.
Também o negociador-chefe do Reino Unido, David Frost, se mostrou satisfeito com o resultado alcançado, frisando que o resultado permite “o foco no futuro”.
“Haverá muito para trabalharmos juntos através do novo Conselho de Parceria e estamos empenhados em trabalhar [em conjunto] To find solutions that work for both, “the British official said, referring to the UK position.
“We will protect our interests when necessary – we will fully control our own destiny as a sovereign nation“, He insisted.
The approval process now goes to the EU Council, which is responsible for final approval. The ambassadors of the 27 are due to begin formal adoption through a written procedure this Wednesday, which should be completed by the weekend.
The agreement is formally effective May 1.
EU “does not hesitate” to take legal action in case of failure
During a full discussion in Brussels yesterday (Tuesday), the head of the European Commission called for the agreement to be ratified, arguing that it would provide the EU with “tools to ensure full compliance with the obligations signed by both sides”. However, Ursula van der Leyen assured that he would “not hesitate” to take legal action if he failed.
Since January, there have been a number of shortcomings in the regulation of trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, which has led the Portuguese president of the Council of EU to maintain full respect for the protocol in Northern Ireland, “for the stability of future EU-UK relations before the final debate of the agreement in the European Parliament begins.”
“There are legal proceedings, let me be very clear. We do not wish to use these tools, but we will not hesitate to use them if necessary“If the agreement is not fulfilled,” the head of the community executive warned.
On December 24, 2020, EU and UK negotiators reached a consensus on a trade and cooperation agreement, which sets out the terms of future bilateral cooperation. To reduce the disruption, this agreement has been temporarily implemented since January 1, 2021. The agreement must be approved by the European Parliament before it expires on April 30, 2021.
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