London and Brussels have agreed on a Brexit deal… but it still has to get the backing of British MPs and the European Parliament.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, said it meant there was no longer a need to extend the divorce deadline beyond October 31.
“I am happy about the deal, but sad about Brexit,” Juncker said at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson said: “I hope very much now, speaking of elected representatives, that my fellow employees in Westminster do now come together to get Brexit done, to get this excellent deal over the line and to deliver Brexit without any more delay.”
British MPs will sit on Saturday and vote on whether to back the agreement. If not, legislation requires Johnson — who has pledged to take the country out of the EU by October 31 — to ask the EU for a Brexit extension.
Warm words for Britain
Brussels chiefs, speaking after EU27 leaders unanimously ratified the modified divorce deal, had warms words for the United Kingdom.
“What I feel, personally, is sadness because in my heart I will always be a Remainer,” Donald Tusk, president of the European Council said. “I hope if our British friends decide to return one day our door will always be open.”
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, echoed this sentiment by saying: “Brexit has been a negative experience and is a lose-lose process.”
Barnier said he had not been “aggressive or vengeful” at any stage during the Brexit process and that he has “great respect for the British”.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar, standing alongside Tusk, Barnier and Juncker, said he viewed the UK’s departure like “an old friend that’s going on a journey”. He added he thought there would “always a place at the table if they choose to come back”.
