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The 27 EU states officially approved the start of the Brexit trade pact with Great Britain on January 1st.
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) confirmed this on Tuesday.
Now all that is missing is the approval of the British Parliament and the signature of both sides on Wednesday.
Then a hard economic break with the former EU member will be averted at the turn of the year.
"On January 1st, we will say 'Hello, Goodbye' to Great Britain," said Maas.
“The transition phase ends, the United Kingdom is now effectively leaving the European internal market and the customs union.
At the same time, our new, comprehensive partnership begins. "
Germany had pulled out all the stops during the last few meters of the EU Council Presidency so that the partnership agreement could be applied provisionally on January 1, 2021.
"By joining forces we succeeded in preventing a chaotic turn of the year."
Then on Wednesday the signatures
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The agreement will be signed on Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. by EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel, as Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant announced on Twitter.
“An important moment,” she wrote.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will then sign the contract in London.
The almost 1250-page trade and partnership agreement regulates economic relations after the Brexit transition phase.
The most important point is to avoid tariffs and ensure the smoothest possible trade.
The contract also includes fishing and cooperation on energy, transport, justice, police and many other topics.
The federal government had already signaled approval on Monday.
The provisional application of the treaty is necessary because there is no time for ratification by the European Parliament before the end of the year - it should be made up for after the New Year.
A vote is envisaged in February or March after a detailed examination.
The EU parliamentarians insist that this procedure remains a one-time exception.
The Brexit hardliners also support Johnson
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Approval is expected in the UK Parliament on Wednesday.
The Brexit hardliners of the inner-party European Research Group (ERG) of Johnson's Conservative Party support the agreement, as announced.
The treaty "preserves the sovereignty of Great Britain", emphasized the Europe skeptics.
The leaders of the Labor opposition had also signaled support for Johnson's deal.
This is not without controversy in the opposition party.
Some Labor MPs sent an open letter calling for rejection.
Labor leader Keir Starmer, however, had emphasized that this trade pact was better than none.
The negotiators on both sides agreed on the agreement on Christmas Eve.
Despite the regulations, the relationship will be far less close in the future than before.
In spite of the contract, goods checks are necessary at the borders, among other things because evidence of compliance with food and product standards must be provided.
Barnier sees painful separation
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EU negotiator Michel Barnier told Franceinfo on Tuesday that the agreement meant calm and stability for many citizens and businesses.
Brexit is still painful and a lot will change.
In addition to the goods controls, Barnier mentioned the British withdrawal from the Erasmus student exchange and the future visas required for stays of more than 90 days.
Barnier emphasized that Great Britain was now on its own in the global world, while the European Union remained together.
“I definitely believe that it is better to be with our neighbors, in a union, in a common market, than for everyone to be on their own,” said Barnier.