Johnson signs Brexit withdrawal agreement

London, January 24

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed Britain’s EU divorce agreement on Friday after Brussels’ top two officials earlier did likewise at a ceremony behind closed doors.

“Today I have signed the Withdrawal Agreement for the UK to leave the EU on January 31st, honouring the democratic mandate of the British people,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.

Officials from both sides accompanied the document across the Channel to London, where Johnson was to add his signature to those of EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.

Number 10 said that Johnson would sign it and then return it to Brussels, where the EU will make a copy for each party.

On Wednesday next week, the text will go to the European Parliament for ratification and on Thursday diplomats from the EU member states will approve the deal in writing.

Then, on Friday, January 31, Britain spends its last day in the EU before leaving the bloc at 2300 GMT as clocks strike midnight in Brussels.

“Michel and I have just signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, opening the way for its ratification by the European Parliament,” European Commission president von der Leyen tweeted.

In a separate tweet, European Council president Michel said: “Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain. We start a new chapter as partners and allies.” — AFP

Divorce deal

• Charles Michel, one of the heads of the European Commission and Council, said in a tweet, “Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain. We start a new chapter as partners and allies.”
• On January 29, the text will now go to the European Parliament for ratification