The joint agreement of the UK and the EU

The text of the agreement between the  European Union and the UK is now online.  There are sixteen pages, contaning a considerable amount of detail in some respects (particularly citizens’ rights). The press has caught up with its existence but the details have not been published more widely yet.

Pages 1-6 are taken up with citizens’ rights.  The rights are centred on a “specified” date, which is the date of the UK withdrawal.  It allows for family reunion and marriage for those who are resident on the specified date. There is no other protection for the EU citizenship of UK citizens who are in the UK on the specified date. People  who move between EU countries while retaining UK residence are not protected.

On Northern Ireland (pages 7-9), there will be no hard border but there will be “mechanisms” to protect the integrity of the Customs Union and the single market.  The Common Travel Area can continue, by neogitation between the UK and Ireland.

On financial arrangements, the UK will continue to contribute to the EU as if it was a member until 31st December 2020.    In other words, the UK government chose the wrong date for its notice.

Police and judicial cooperation will continue under EU law.   Other continuing arrangements will “closely mirror” EU arrangements.

 

2 thoughts on “The joint agreement of the UK and the EU”

    1. I’m not sure which challenge you mean; if it’s the letter issued in August 2017 on behalf of Miller and others, that’s concerned (like their first action) with whether the government is acting within its authority. The first stage settlement makes it more likely that the government will be able to mobilise parliamentary support before the next stage is agreed.

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