European Council Brexit Withdrawal Agreement

The European Council Brexit Withdrawal Agreement: An Overview

The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, negotiated between the UK government and the EU, has been a hot topic since its inception. The European Council played a critical role in the negotiations and agreement of the document. Here`s what you need to know about the European Council`s involvement in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

What is the European Council?

The European Council is the EU institution comprised of the heads of state or government from the EU member states. Its primary role is to provide the EU with strategic guidance and political direction. The European Council also plays an essential role in the EU`s legislative process, as the council must approve any legislative proposal before it becomes law.

The European Council and Brexit

The United Kingdom`s decision to leave the EU in 2016 set in motion a two-year-long negotiation process that culminated in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The European Council played a crucial role in the negotiations, providing the EU`s negotiating position and approving the agreement when it was reached.

The European Council`s negotiating position was based on the EU`s four guiding principles: the protection of the EU`s single market, the integrity of the EU`s legal order, the preservation of the Good Friday Agreement, and the protection of citizens` rights. The European Council also sought to ensure that the UK paid its financial obligations to the EU and that the rights of EU citizens residing in the UK were protected.

The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement

The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the UK`s departure from the EU. It covers a wide range of issues, including citizens` rights, the financial settlement, and the UK`s future relationship with the EU. The European Council approved the agreement in November 2018.

The agreement contains a protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which aims to avoid a hard border between the two regions. The protocol establishes a temporary customs union, among other measures, to ensure that products can flow freely between the UK and the EU.

Conclusion

The European Council`s involvement in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was crucial to the agreement`s success. The council provided the EU`s negotiating position and approved the agreement when it was reached. The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is a legally binding document that covers a wide range of issues, including citizens` rights, the financial settlement, and the UK`s future relationship with the EU. The protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is one of the agreement`s most critical components.