Brussels would not accept any backsliding from the British government, and therefore, the EU lawmakers would continue to monitor the implementation of the accord. “You cannot have the advantages of EU membership while being on the outside. However, this agreement goes a long way to mitigate its worst consequences,” he noted.
Although Britain left the 27-member union on 31 January 2020, however, this was followed by a transition period which expired on New Year’s Eve last year, after which Britain has no longer been bound by EU laws and regulations.
The official results of the vote held on Tuesday would not be published until Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, it is widely believed that the EU lawmakers would have agreed ratified the deal, formally known as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on goods traded between Britain and the EU. Despite the benefits, the deal is less ambitious than what both parties hoped for, as it neither makes any reference to defence and foreign policy, nor does it make any commitment for London and Brussels to collaborate and cooperate on health, environment and other subjects of common interest.
Tuesday’s vote came amid multiple feuds between the parties, particularly over UK’s implementation of Brexit agreements, and delays in the supply of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to the EU.
These and several other issues prompted MEPs to demand more time to vet the pact, although UK made it clear that it would not approve any further delays. Moreover, the European Commission, which handles relations with London for the bloc urged the lawmakers to approve the deal, saying it would better help keep Britain in line.
“We know it will not always be easy and there is a lot of vigilance, diligence and hard work ahead of us,” President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, told a session of parliament ahead of the vote. “But while today’s vote is obviously an end, it is also the beginning of a new chapter,” she added.
