United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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The first reactions to the agreement between Brussels and London on Brexit are positive. "We have found a unique solution for Northern Ireland that reflects the unique history and geography," Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar wrote on Twitter.
We have #Brexit Agreement that allows UK leave EU in orderly way. We have unique solution for NI that respects unique history and geography. Its good for Ireland and NI. No hard border. All-island and East-West economy can continue thrive. Protects Single Market & our place in it
- Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) October 17, 2019The solution was good for the Republic of Ireland as well as for Northern Ireland. There will be no hard line between the two parts of the island. The common economic area will be maintained and the EU internal market protected. With this agreement, the United Kingdom could leave the EU in an orderly fashion. (Read more about the agreement here).
The dispute over the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland was one of the most contentious issues between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Merkel on Varadkar's approval: "A very important sign"
Angela Merkel was also satisfied. "That's good news," she said. The negotiated agreement provides an opportunity to preserve the integrity of the EU single market and the Good Friday Agreement to end the Northern Ireland conflict. The fact that Varadkar had shown satisfaction was "a very important sign" for her.
Ursula von der Leyen, the future President of the European Commission, said that the negotiations on the future relationship between Great Britain and the EU had started well. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had announced in a press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that talks on the EU's future relationship with the UK should begin on 1 November - provided the UK and EU parliaments vote Agreement to.
The EU Commission and the British government had agreed on a new deal shortly before the upcoming EU summit. This increases the chances that an agreement on a regulated exit of Great Britain from the European Union will come about on 31 October. But the parliaments of the EU and Great Britain still have to agree. The Northern Irish party DUP has already announced that it will not agree to the deal in the British House of Commons. British PM Boris Johnson is likely to rely on the votes of the DUP. On Saturday, the British Parliament will vote on the agreement.