The European Parliament Ratification Withdrawal Agreement: What You Need to Know
The Withdrawal Agreement is the legal document that sets out the terms of the UK`s withdrawal from the European Union. It was negotiated between the UK Government and the EU and has been ratified by both sides.
The European Parliament plays a crucial role in the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement. The Parliament has the power to approve or reject the Agreement, and it has the final say on whether the agreement is ratified.
On 29 January 2020, the European Parliament gave its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement, clearing the way for the UK to leave the EU on 31 January 2020. Since then, the UK has entered into a transition period with the EU, during which it remains subject to EU rules and regulations.
However, the Withdrawal Agreement is not set in stone. If the UK or the EU believes that the other party is not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement, it can trigger a dispute resolution mechanism. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the agreement could potentially be terminated.
The European Parliament also has the power to withdraw its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement if it believes that the UK is not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement. This would be a drastic step and could potentially lead to a breakdown in the relationship between the UK and the EU.
It is important to note that the Withdrawal Agreement only covers the terms of the UK`s withdrawal from the EU. It does not cover the future relationship between the UK and the EU, which is the subject of ongoing negotiations.
The future relationship negotiations are focused on issues such as trade, security, and cooperation on issues of mutual interest. The outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on the UK`s future relationship with the EU.
In summary, the European Parliament`s ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement was a crucial step in the UK`s departure from the EU. However, the agreement is not set in stone and could potentially be terminated if either party fails to fulfill its obligations. The ongoing negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be just as important as the Withdrawal Agreement in determining the long-term relationship between the two entities.