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Brussels (AP) - The Frenchman Michel Barnier has said goodbye to the team of Brexit negotiators of the European Union after more than four years.
“Mission accomplished”, wrote the 70-year-old on Twitter and thanked his employees.
«Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.
Many challenges await. "
Barnier was appointed chief negotiator for negotiations with the United Kingdom after the British voted to leave the EU in 2016.
In almost endless rounds with the British negotiators, he initially agreed the EU exit agreement, which came into force in 2019.
The trade pact with Great Britain, which has been provisional since January 1st, followed at Christmas 2020.
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In January, Barnier was appointed "Special Advisor" to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Another reason is that he will reach the official age limit for employment in the EU Commission with his 70th birthday on January 9th.
Commission vice Maros Sefcovic is now responsible for the implementation of the Brexit agreements.
Barnier, on the other hand, is pulling back into French politics, as he officially announced in December.
According to media reports, the conservative politician is considering a candidacy for the French presidential election in 2022 for the center-right party Les Républicains.
Before his career in Brussels, Barnier was, among other things, French Foreign Minister.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210301-99-638321 / 2
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Barnier's tweet from March 1st, 2021
Press release on the appointment as "Special Advisor" on January 19th, 2021