BRUSSELS: EU member states gave their final formal go-ahead for Britain’s imminent departure from the bloc on Thursday, a day before Brexit is due to occur.
The European Union’s remaining 27 countries approved Britain’s withdrawal agreement by written procedure, the European Council announced, paving the way for a member state to leave the bloc for the first time ever.
Britain’s 47 years of EU membership are formally due to cease at midnight on Friday, three-and-a-half years after Britons voted narrowly in favour of leaving.
“From that time on, the United Kingdom will no longer be an EU member state and will be considered as a third country,” the council said in a statement.
Little will change in practice during an 11-month transitional phase, in which the two sides will seek to negotiate a future relationship spanning trade, security and political cooperation. Officials in Brussels warn that the timeline is extremely ambitious.
Britain completed its ratification of the withdrawal deal last week, when Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal assent after it was passed by the British parliament.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament in turn approved the deal.
The withdrawal agreement, a legal document of more than 500 pages, ensures a smooth Brexit by initially keeping EU laws in place for Britain and buying time to replace these with new regulations.
It includes key provisions on citizens’ rights, arrangements to maintain peace on the divided island of Ireland and Britain’s remaining financial obligations.
After an emotional debate during which several speakers shed tears, EU lawmakers voted 621 for and 49 against the Brexit agreement sealed between Britain and the 27 other member states last October.
Thirteen lawmakers abstained and the chamber then broke into a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, a traditional Scottish folk song of farewell. Britain’s 73 departing EU lawmakers headed for an “Au Revoir” party after the vote.
— dpa/Reuters
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