Draft Agreement Withdrawal United Kingdom

On January 31st, 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union. This event marked the end of a long and tumultuous process that began with the Brexit referendum in 2016. However, even though the withdrawal agreement had been signed and ratified, there remained the issue of the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

One of the key elements of the withdrawal agreement was the Northern Ireland protocol, which aimed to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland. This protocol stated that Northern Ireland would remain in the EU`s single market and customs union for goods, while the rest of the UK would not. This had the potential to create significant economic and political challenges for the UK, and the government began to consider ways to mitigate these challenges.

As a result, the UK government proposed a draft agreement that would have replaced the Northern Ireland protocol. The proposal, called the UK Internal Market Bill, aimed to prevent trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, but it also contained provisions that would have breached the withdrawal agreement, specifically in relation to state aid.

The EU responded by starting legal proceedings against the UK, arguing that the Internal Market Bill was in breach of international law. The UK government defended the bill, stating that it was necessary to protect the integrity of the UK`s internal market. However, as negotiations continued, it became clear that the bill would not succeed in its current form.

In December 2020, the UK and the EU reached a new agreement, called the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement included provisions on trade, security, and cooperation in areas such as energy, transportation, and fisheries. It also addressed the Northern Ireland protocol, and the two sides agreed to work together to avoid any negative impact on Northern Ireland`s economy.

Overall, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union has been a complex and challenging process. While the withdrawal agreement provided a framework for the future relationship, it also highlighted the difficult issues that would need to be addressed. The UK government`s proposed draft agreement was an attempt to find a solution to these issues, but in the end, it was not successful. However, with the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement in place, both sides can move forward with a clearer understanding of their future relationship.