Michel Barnier (European Chief Negotiator) and David Davis (Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union) issued a joint press release in Brussels on 19 March 2018 announcing that after intensive negotiations, the EU and UK had come to an agreement on a large portion of the provisions that will make up the international agreement on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Mr. Barnier reiterated that while significant progress had been made, “a lot more work is needed on important topics, in particular Ireland and Northern Ireland” and that “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.
Consensus has been reached that the UK will receive full benefit of the EU Single Market and remain part of the Customs Union up until the end of the transition period, which is set to end on 31 December 2020. As a consequence, no customs border enforcement or the imposition of trade barriers will be implemented until that date. The UK is free to negotiate agreements with third countries during the transition period.
The Press Statement can be accessed on the following link:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-18-2161_en.htm
A copy of the draft Withdrawal Agreement with indications as to which aspects have been agreed on can be accessed on the following link:
