European Parliament ratifies Brexit deal

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Parliament on Wednesday ratified the Brexit deal reached between the EU and the U.K, paving the way for Britain's exit from the bloc after more than 40 years of membership.

Brexit deal was ratified by an overwhelming majority in a 621 to 49 vote, while 13 members of the European Parliament abstained.

After nearly three years of deadlocked negotiations and severe turmoil in British politics, the European Union and the United Kingdom finally agreed on the terms of the withdrawal agreement last October.

Following the British parliament’s approval, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council head Charles Michel signed the document last week.

“If we could stop Brexit by voting no today, I would be the first to recommend it”, Guy Verhofstad, the European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator, said at the debate before the vote.

The Belgian politician also expressed his deep regret over a “great nation leaving” the EU.

“Brexit is a failure of the Union”, which needs to be reformed as a consequence, Verhofstad added.

Friday, Jan. 31, marks the end of political negotiations between the U.K. and EU, while tough negotiations on future trade relations are yet to start.

The partners are supposed to agree on the terms of economic cooperation in an 11-month transition period. For the moment, an agreement seems to be out of reach as the EU finds British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s propositions unacceptable.

Johnson favors a scenario in which British goods and services can enter the EU market without any tariffs or quotas while the U.K. can stop fully complying with EU rules. But the EU rejects the plan as it will give more power to the country leaving the bloc than to those who remain.

73 British members of the European Parliament will have their last working day on Thursday as the U.K. will not be able to keep any seats after Brexit.

Brussels will organize a public event on the historical main square of the city with concerts and light shows to remember the friendship between the U.K. and Brussels.