There was a sigh of relief through the EU when the protracted Brexit process finally came to an end on Christmas Eve.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says in a statement that the agreement means that it has now “created a basis for new capital in our relationship.

Even outside the European Union, the United Kingdom will continue to be an important partner for the EU ".

Emmanuel Macron is also positive.

The French president wrote on Twitter that the agreement is "crucial to protect our citizens, fishermen and manufacturers ... Europe is moving forward and can look to the future, united, independent and strong".

Sturgeon remains deeply critical

Irish Prime Minister Michéal Martin is equally optimistic, tweeting that the agreement is "very welcome" and that the parties can now focus on maintaining a "good relationship with each other in the coming years".

From Scotland's point of view, however, it sounds different.

The country's head of government has previously made it clear that it wants to stay within the EU, a message she is now repeating after Brussels and London have agreed.

"There is no agreement that could offset what Brexit takes from us.

It is time that we set the course for our own future as an independent, European country ", Sturgeon writes on Twitter.