(VOVWORLD) - Two and a half years after Britons voted to leave the European Union and after a year of difficult negotiations Britain and the EU have finally reached consensus on a draft Brexit agreement.
The biggest obstacle in the Brexit negotiations has been the so-called “hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This has finally been resolved after strained talks.
Surprising agreement
The specifics of the Brexit agreement will be revealed after a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday. But Britain’s cabinet office said there is agreement at a technical level, even on the tough issue of new border checks in Northern Ireland. It is now agreed that physical border checks will not be reintroduced in Northern Ireland.
The cabinet’s announcement was a surprise. Just one day earlier, UK and EU officials were doubtful they could reach an agreement. The European Commission had prepared contingency plans in case they failed to reach an agreement – emergency restrictions to priority fields, a revamped visa policy, and possible in border controls, customs procedures, and driving licenses.
The EU has neither confirmed nor denied the announcement of consensus.
Big challenge ahead
Having reached an agreement, Prime Minister Theresa May will seek her ministers' backing at a special cabinet meeting Wednesday and Parliament’s approval later. But there is deep division in Britain’s political scene. Transport Minister Jo Johnson resigned to protest May’s Brexit deal, calling it a failure. He was the 14th official to resign in the past year.
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Britons must carefully examine the draft agreement, which may contain provisions unfavorable to Britain. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson criticized the government and said the progress has gotten derailed, although he has not read the agreement.
There are five more months before Britain leaves the EU on March 29, 2019. A technical agreement between the EU and UK is an important step in determining their future relations.