The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill received royal assent on 23 January 2020, becoming the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (EU(WA)A 2020). The passage of this legislation confirms the UK Parliament’s approval of the Withdrawal Agreement in accordance with domestic constitutional arrangements (as amended).
The Withdrawal Agreement has now also been signed by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the European Parliament’s vote on 29 January 2020. Once the European Parliament has given consent, the European Council will confirm its approval of the legal terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Once adopted, the withdrawal agreement will enter into force upon the UK’s exit from the EU, on 31 January 2020 at midnight (Brussels time).
Separately, the European Commission has announced that once the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020, the transition period will officially begin. This period will be time-limited, and will last at least until 31 December 2020. As a result, the UK’s interests will cease to be represented in EU institutions, agencies, bodies and offices. The UK will, however, be subject to EU law until the end of the transition period.
The Commission has published a Q&A factsheet (see bit.ly/38NAp55) which outlines details on: how negotiations will be led, the transition period and the UK’s status during it, and the UK’s obligations towards the EU among other topics. Questions concerning the single market and the EU customs union have been addressed, as well as EU external actions, fisheries, the UK’s internal agreements with other countries, the transition period official timeline, and the rights of citizens.
The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill received royal assent on 23 January 2020, becoming the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (EU(WA)A 2020). The passage of this legislation confirms the UK Parliament’s approval of the Withdrawal Agreement in accordance with domestic constitutional arrangements (as amended).
The Withdrawal Agreement has now also been signed by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the European Parliament’s vote on 29 January 2020. Once the European Parliament has given consent, the European Council will confirm its approval of the legal terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Once adopted, the withdrawal agreement will enter into force upon the UK’s exit from the EU, on 31 January 2020 at midnight (Brussels time).
Separately, the European Commission has announced that once the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020, the transition period will officially begin. This period will be time-limited, and will last at least until 31 December 2020. As a result, the UK’s interests will cease to be represented in EU institutions, agencies, bodies and offices. The UK will, however, be subject to EU law until the end of the transition period.
The Commission has published a Q&A factsheet (see bit.ly/38NAp55) which outlines details on: how negotiations will be led, the transition period and the UK’s status during it, and the UK’s obligations towards the EU among other topics. Questions concerning the single market and the EU customs union have been addressed, as well as EU external actions, fisheries, the UK’s internal agreements with other countries, the transition period official timeline, and the rights of citizens.
