Brexit Agreement in Short: A Quick Overview
Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU), has been a long and contentious process that has been debated and dissected for years. After months of negotiations and several false starts, the UK and the EU finally reached a Brexit agreement on Christmas Eve 2020. While the agreement covers a wide range of areas, here are some of the key points to keep in mind:
Fisheries
One of the most contentious issues in the Brexit negotiations was the question of fishing rights. The UK has historically been a major fishing nation, and many in the industry felt that the EU had been taking advantage of its waters for years. Under the Brexit agreement, the UK will take back control of its waters and will be able to set its own fishing quotas. However, there will be a transition period of five and a half years during which the EU will gradually reduce its fishing quotas in UK waters.
Trade
One of the main reasons for the UK`s decision to leave the EU was to regain control over its trade policy. The Brexit agreement allows for tariff-free and quota-free trade between the UK and the EU. However, there will be some new customs procedures and paperwork required for goods moving between the UK and the EU. The agreement also includes provisions for services, such as finance and professional services, which are important parts of the UK economy.
Travel
One of the benefits of EU membership was the ability to travel freely between member states. While UK citizens will no longer have that right, the Brexit agreement includes provisions for visa-free travel for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, UK citizens will need to have six months left on their passports to travel to the EU and will no longer be able to use their European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs).
Security
The UK and the EU have a long history of cooperation on security issues, such as sharing intelligence and extraditing criminals. The Brexit agreement includes provisions for continued cooperation on security issues, including the exchange of data and information. However, the UK will no longer be a member of the EU`s law enforcement agency, Europol, and will need to negotiate new agreements with the EU on extradition and other matters.
Conclusion
The Brexit agreement is a complex and detailed document that covers a wide range of issues. While the agreement provides some clarity on the future relationship between the UK and the EU, there are still many details to be worked out in the coming years. The UK and the EU will need to negotiate new agreements on a wide range of issues, from data sharing to financial services, as they seek to build a new relationship outside the EU.