The EU Draft Withdrawal Agreement: What You Need to Know
The European Union and the United Kingdom have been in negotiations for the past two years to reach an agreement regarding the UK’s exit from the EU. The latest development in these negotiations is the release of the EU Draft Withdrawal Agreement, a legal text outlining the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU. Here’s what you need to know about this important document.
Scope of the Agreement
The EU Draft Withdrawal Agreement covers a wide range of issues related to the UK’s departure from the EU. Some of the key topics addressed in the agreement include:
• Citizens’ Rights: The agreement guarantees the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in EU member states after Brexit. This includes the right to work, study, and access healthcare.
• Financial Settlement: The UK will pay a financial settlement to the EU as part of its departure. The exact amount has not been finalized, but is estimated to be around £39 billion.
• Transition Period: The agreement provides for a transition period after Brexit, during which the UK will continue to be subject to EU rules and regulations. This period is set to last until 31 December 2020.
• Northern Ireland: The agreement includes a “backstop” arrangement to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (which is an EU member state). Under the backstop, if no alternative arrangement is agreed upon, the UK will remain in a customs union with the EU, with Northern Ireland also subject to some EU single market rules.
Reaction to the Agreement
The release of the EU Draft Withdrawal Agreement has been met with mixed reactions. While some see it as a step towards a final agreement, others have criticized certain aspects of the text. For example, some members of the UK parliament have expressed concern about the backstop arrangement for Northern Ireland, arguing that it could create additional barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
What Happens Next?
The EU Draft Withdrawal Agreement is just one step in the Brexit negotiation process. The text must still be approved by both the UK and EU parliaments, and there are likely to be further negotiations and revisions before a final agreement is reached. However, the release of the draft agreement is an important milestone in the Brexit process and provides some clarity on the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU.