MICHEL BARNIER CHIEF NEGOTIATOR OF BREXIT DEAL UNVEILS THE GOVERNANCE 4 PILLARS

USPA NEWS - The Presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michels, President of the European Council, David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, have announced the Brexit Deal, finally agreed on Thursday 24 December 2020, Christmas night. « We have, finally, found an agreement. “It was a long and winding road. But we have got a good deal to show for it.It is fair and balanced. And it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides. » Ursula von der Leyen, stated. As far as Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator, who was leading the negotiations over the years, from the European Union side, versus the UK, to reach an agreement, he unveiled the four pillars, the foundation necessary to building up a new partnership for the future. We publish the full remarks addressed bu Michel Barnier, as the agreement negotiation is closed, on the outcome of the Brexit Deal, during a press conference, on Thursday 24 December.

REMARKS BY MICHEL BARNIER EUROPEAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR OF BREXIT - FULL TEXT « Thank you Madam President, Dear Ursula,  The clock is no longer ticking. After four years of collective effort and EU unity. “¢ To preserve peace and stability on the island of Ireland; “¢ To protect citizens and the Single Market; “¢ To build a new partnership with the UK; Thank you all. This is the work of so many women and men. “¢ Here in the Commission, under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, all the services and, in particular, the EU Task Force dealing with Brexit. “¢ And in the Member States, the Council and the European Parliament. I pay tribute also to the UK negotiating team.Chief Negotiator David Frost. And his deputies.This process has engaged so many citizens, businesses, stakeholders ““ and obviously, you journalists;Thank you for your patience and your attention!Today is a day of relief.But tinged with some sadness.As we compare what came before, with what lies ahead. *THE UK HAS CHOSEN TO LEAVE THE EU AND THE SINGLE MARKET------------------------------------------------------ "The UK has chosen to leave the European Union and the single market. To renounce the rights and advantages of a Member State. Our agreement does not replicate these rights and benefits. So, despite this agreement, there will be real changes on January 1 - in 8 days - for many citizens and businesses. This is the consequence of Brexit. But we have also built a new partnership for the future. Around four pillars."

I - FIRST AN AMBITIOUS AND FAIR TRADE AGREEMENT------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free and fair trade. Fair and free trade.Without tariff or quota.And at the heart of this agreement are new rules of the economic game - the 'Level Playing Field' - which will, for the European Union, be the mark of a new generation for all free trade agreements.  II - AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP WHOSE FIELD IS UNPRECEDENTED----------------------------------- It covers : “¢ Air and road transport; “¢ Energy; “¢ The fight against climate change; “¢ The Peach; â—¦ where we have globally ensured a base of reciprocal access to water and resources, â—¦ with a new distribution of quotas and approved fishing opportunities - as is normal - directly between President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, taking into account the new status of independent coastal state of the United Kingdom - that is to say of a State which will no longer be bound by the common fisheries policy. â—¦ This agreement will require effort. I know it. But the European Union will be present alongside European fishermen to support them. This is our commitment. “¢ Our partnership also includes cooperation in research and innovation, nuclear safety and space, within the framework of Union programs. “¢ In this area, our partnership also contains a non-discrimination clause between European citizens, which also applies to visas, services and the coordination of social security. I am simply expressing two regrets about this societal cooperation. 1 That the British government chose not to participate in the Erasmus exchange program; 2 That the ambition in terms of citizen mobility does not match our historical ties. And again, it is the choice of the British government.  

III - THE THIRD PILLAR OF OUR TEXT CONCERNS THE SECURITY OF CITIZENS----------------------------------------- We have always said it: our security - that of our citizens - cannot be traded. The fight against terrorism and crime requires close cooperation between the European Union and the great country of the United Kingdom. We will work together in eight key areas. And this work will be based on two prerequisites: respect for the protection of fundamental rights and respect for personal data.Here too, to be very frank, in the very uncertain and unstable world in which we live, we regret that the British government did not want to negotiate, at least not for the moment, an agreement on foreign policy, defense and development.  IV - FINALLY THE GOVERNANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS THE LAST PILLAR BASED ON :-------------------------- “¢ Political dialogue and consultation; “¢ Binding dispute resolution mechanisms; “¢ Credible implementation in each of our legal orders; “¢ Remedies or sanctions, including unilateral, rapid and effective when necessary.  This is the proposal for an agreement that we are going to present to the Council, which brings together the 27 governments - and each of them will have the opportunity, the responsibility, to vote - as well as the European Parliament. For four and a half years, we have built this agreement together, step by step. “¢ First of all, the Withdrawal Agreement, which made it possible to stabilize the conditions for peace in Ireland, to secure citizens' rights and to settle financial questions. “¢ And then, in transparency, respect and dialogue, we have continued to work for 9 months - this is a very short time - to achieve this partnership agreement for the future, unprecedented by its diversity and its dimension . Throughout these four and a half years, the strength of the European Union has been unity and solidarity between all Member States and with the European Parliament. It was my honor to take part in this unity of Europeans “. Source : European Commission - Speech