December 26, 21:07

Foreground

From tariffs to TV, here is the EU-Gb agreement

• Photo story

© ANSA

WATCH THE PHOTOSTORY Photo

Close

© ANSA

Close

EU Brexit trade negociation © ANSA

Close

Boris Johnson speaks after trade and security deal © ANSA

Close

EU Brexit trade negociation © ANSA

Close

EU Brexit trade negociation © ANSA

Close

EU and UK agree on a Brexit trade deal © ANSA

Close

Boris Johnson speaks after trade and security deal © ANSA

(by Giuseppe Maria Laudani) (ANSA) - BRUSSELS, DEC 26 - From fishing to finance, from mobility to competition.

These are the main chapters of the post-Brexit free trade agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom reached on the eve of Christmas after ten months of arduous negotiation.

The European Commission today published the complete text of the trade agreement: 1,246 pages that set a complete picture of the future relations from January 1st.

Here are the various chapters in detail.

* RATES - The EU offers its former Member State access to its market of 450 million consumers without customs duties or quotas on all goods that comply with the appropriate rules of origin.

This avoids an interruption in production chains, an undoubted success for the United Kingdom, which, however, must comply with precise standards.

* LEVEL PLAYING FIELD - This opening will in fact be accompanied by strict conditions: companies across the Channel will have to respect a certain number of rules in terms of environment, labor law and taxation to avoid any dumping.

Ursula von der Leyen said there will be a review after four years to ensure that the level playing field works.

* TRANSPORT - Continuity of air, road, rail and sea connections is guaranteed.

The provisions will allow competition between operators to be exercised on an equal footing "so that the rights of passengers, workers and transport safety are not compromised".

* TV SERVICES - France has successfully kept the audiovisual sector out of agreement, a major blow to Britain, which hosts around 1,400 broadcasters, about 30% of all channels in the EU.

UK TV and video on demand service providers will no longer be able to offer services to European viewers unless they transfer part of their business to an EU member state.

* FISHING - The Treaty provides for new quotas that reduce the share of EU catch in British waters by 25% valid over five and a half years.

After that, there will be annual negotiations between the two sides.

* MOBILITY - From January you need a passport (without a visa) to travel beyond the borders and for stays up to three months.

* STUDENTS - Great Britain leaves the Erasmus exchange program between European students.

* STATE AID - The agreement puts an end to the EU state aid regime and allows London to introduce its own subsidy system.

This is another important EU concession.

However, the UK will need to ensure that its subsidy scheme respects the clear principles set out in the treaty.

The agreement also allows both parties to take corrective measures if there is evidence that the shared principles have not been respected.

* JUDICIAL COOPERATION - A new framework is established for police and judicial cooperation, "in particular to combat cross-border crime and terrorism".

* SCIENCE - The UK may continue to participate in the Horizon Europe scientific research program, the Euratom program and the Copernicus space program.

* DISPUTES - Should the EU and the United Kingdom fail to comply with the treaty, a joint Council, a sort of dispute resolution mechanism, will guarantee the correct application and interpretation of the agreement.

London has (successfully) opposed the EU Court of Justice.

* FOREIGN AND SECURITY - Cooperation on foreign policy, external security and defense is not covered by the agreement.

But regardless, London should not shy away from European positions on issues such as Iranian nuclear, Russia or the Middle East.

* WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES - According to analysts in Brussels, it is still premature to draw up an initial balance of the agreement, shadows and shadows or between who wins and who loses.

We will have to wait and see how the Member States and the MEPs will have to give their assent.

The BBC observes that both sides of the Channel are portraying the deal as a major victory.

But beyond the triumphalist tones of BorisJohnson and the more calm ones of the European Commission which spoke of a "fair and balanced" agreement, the Finnish minister for Europe Tytti Tuppurainen, according to whom it was simply an exercise to limit the damage.

(HANDLE)

Share

• Suggest

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Linkedin

• Mail

• Code to embed

Get the embed code

REPRODUCTION RESERVED © Copyright ANSA