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April 28, 2021 The European Parliament ratified by a large majority the agreement establishing the rules of the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. As the parliament reports in a note, the approval decision was adopted with 660 votes in favor, 5 against and 32 abstentions, while the accompanying political resolution, which presents the Parliament's assessment and expectations, passed with 578 votes, 51 against and 68 abstentions.



With the approval of the Parliament, the agreement will enter into force, following the formal vote of the Council, on 30 April.



The yes of the Eurocamera gives the president,

David Sassoli an

appointment

, to transmit the Parliament's position to the Council and the Commission as well as to the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States and of the United Kingdom. 



 "The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement. It mitigates many of the worst consequences of Brexit and is a good deal for EU citizens. The European Parliament will be vigilant and ensure that it is fully implemented ", writes the president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli in a tweet.



"The European Parliament has approved the trade and cooperation agreement with Great Britain. For the first time an agreement of this kind with a former member of the EU family. All the more reason we will have to work to ensure that it is respected", he writes, also on Twitter , the EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs,

Paolo Gentiloni

.



"It is the last step of a long journey" is how British Prime Minister

Boris Johnson

greeted the 'green light' of the European Parliament for the post-Brexit agreement on trade and cooperation with the United Kingdom. For Johnson, this will give "stability to London's new relationship" with the EU "as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign peers. Now is the time - Johnson's invitation - to look to the future.



" the vote in favor of the European Parliament on the agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom on trade and cooperation "which" lays the foundations for a strong and close partnership with the United Kingdom ", but" its faithful implementation is essential ". Thus the President of the European Commission,

Ursula von der Leyen

, after the Eurochamber's ok to the agreement concluded on Christmas Eve



"I warmly welcome the results of the European Parliament's vote on the trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and Great Britain". The president of the European Council,

Charles Michel

, writes in a tweet

. "It marks an important step forward in EU-GB relations and opens a new era. The EU will continue to work constructively with GB as an important friend and partner," adds Michel.



In the resolution prepared by the UK Coordination Group and the Conference of Presidents, Parliament welcomes the conclusion of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement which limits the negative consequences of the UK's exit from the EU, considered from the European Parliament "a historic mistake", as "no third country can enjoy the same benefits as a member country".



The deputies, the note continues, also welcome the zero-quota and zero-tariff trade agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom and the guarantees on the rules for fair competition, which could serve as a model for future trade agreements. Parliament has come out in favor of provisions concerning, inter alia, fisheries, consumers, air traffic, energy and data protection.



However, MEPs regret that the UK did not want the agreement to extend to foreign, security and development policy and did not want to confirm its participation in the Erasmus + student exchange program.



For MEPs, securing peace on the island of Ireland remains one of Parliament's main objectives. MEPs therefore condemn the UK's recent unilateral actions which are in violation of the Withdrawal Agreement. The European Parliament - continues the statement - asks the British government "to act in good faith and to fully implement the terms of the agreements it has signed", including the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, and to apply them according to the timetable established jointly with the European Commission. MEPs also stress that Parliament must play an important role in monitoring the implementation of the agreement, including through involvement in possible future unilateral EU actions under the agreement.



Andreas Schieder

(S&D, AT), rapporteur for the Foreign Affairs Committee (Afet) said: "The EU and the UK have created the basis for a relationship between equals. The most important thing is that today it is a beginning, not the end: we have reached agreement in many important areas, such as ensuring mutual market access and building a good trade relationship. Much work remains on foreign policy and educational exchange programs. For citizens' interests to be represented , the European Parliament must be closely involved. Only a partnership in which both sides deliver on their commitments has a future. "



Christophe Hansen

(PPE, LU), rapporteur for the International Trade Commission (Itra) then observed: "Ratification of the agreement is not a blind vote of confidence in the British government's intention to implement our agreements in good faith. , is an assurance of the EU against further unilateral deviations from what has been jointly agreed. Parliament will remain vigilant. Let us now convene the Partnership Parliamentary Assembly to continue building bridges across the Channel. "



In conclusion, the note reminds us that on 24 December 2020, the EU and UK negotiators had found the square on the trade and cooperation agreement that establishes the terms of future EU-UK cooperation. To minimize disruption, the agreement has been provisionally applied since January 1, 2021. Parliament's consent is required for the agreement to enter into permanent force, before it expires on April 30, 2021.