New chapter of the EU and British relationship

On 31 January 2020, the decision of the citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the referendum in 2016 to withdraw from the European Union was fulfilled.

Thanks to the efforts of both parties, the European Union and the British Government, the withdrawal took place in a controlled manner on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement, which defines the settlement of the rights and obligations of both parties. The transitional period defined in this Agreement, which runs from 1 February, shall end on 31 December 2020. Until that date, citizens, entrepreneurs, investors, students, scientists from EU Member States and the United Kingdom shall be subject to the same conditions as during the United Kingdom’s membership of the EU.

On 24 December 2020, the EU-UK negotiating team, after difficult negotiations, reached an agreement on the organization of future relations.

The EU’s new partnership with the United Kingdom is mainly framed by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. In addition to trade in goods and services, this section also addresses a wide range of other areas: economic cooperation, state aid, tax transparency, air and road transport, energy and sustainability, fisheries, data protection and social security coordination. The agreement also provides a new framework for law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal and civil matters. Dispute settlement mechanisms and procedures for how the agreement will work and be monitored are also important.

The agreement thus provides a solid basis for maintaining long-term partnership and cooperation. However, the United Kingdom is leaving the EU ecosystem, leaving the customs union and the single market. Since January 1, 2021, there have been changes in relation to citizens and entrepreneurs.

resource : mzv.sk