The United Kingdom (UK) used to be a member state of the EU but left the EU on January 31, 2020. In June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership in the EU. Negotiations then began on the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). Relations between the EU and the UK have since been largely governed by 4 matches:
- withdrawal agreement
- trade and cooperation agreements
- information security agreement
- nuclear power agreement
This treaty has been signed and ratified by the EU and the UK and covers a wide range of policy areas. They guarantee healthy competition, collaboration in the area of common interest and protection Civil rights.
Brexit Withdrawal Agreement
Following the UK’s referendum on EU membership in June 2016, the UK and the EU began negotiating the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). These Brexit negotiations began in June 2017 and finally culminated in the Withdrawal Agreement, which took effect on January 31, 2020 at midnight.
It contains conditions for UK orderly withdrawal from the EU in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union.
Agreements have also been made on citizens’ rights and financial settlements between the EU and the UK. The hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland was avoided through a special protocol to the treaty.
Post-Brexit Agreement
Following the UK’s official withdrawal from the EU on January 31, 2020, the two sides began to negotiate on how their relationship would turn out. These negotiations have already started during the transition period (1 February 2020 – 31 December 2020), when the UK is no longer a member of the EU but is still bound by certain EU rules.
In the end there trade and cooperation agreements concluded, forming a post-Brexit relationship.
The agreement was signed on December 30, 2020 and officially entered into force on May 1, 2021. However, it has been temporarily implemented since January 1, 2021.
This trade and cooperation agreement governs level playing field and respect for basic rights. The agreement includes:
- free trade agreement with ambitious economic, social, environmental and fisheries cooperation
- close partnership for the security of citizens
- overarching governance framework
In addition to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the EU and the UK have also negotiated, signed and ratified 2 other agreements: the agreement on security information and agreement on nuclear energy.
While this agreement addresses a number of important issues, the impact of Brexit is still being felt by citizens and businesses in the EU and UK.
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