Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, has confirmed that a Brexit deal has been agreed between European Union and United Kingdom. This paves the way for Britain to walk away from the European Union.

The European Commission president in a letter to Donald Tusk, president of the European council, has said that negotiations sought to identify a mutually satisfactory solution.Juncker tweeted, "Where there is a will, there is a deal - we have one! It's a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is a testament to our commitment to find solutions. I recommend that EUCO endorses this deal."

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An extract from Junker's letter reads, "As regards the withdrawal agreement itself, negotiations focused on the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

On his part, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted, "We've got a great new deal that takes back control now Parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities like the cost of living, the NHS, violent crime and our environment."

The deal still needs approval from the UK parliament, the EU member states and their respective parliaments. Juncker has also urged the European parliament to sign off on the deal.

The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued this statement. It reads, "From what we know, it seems the prime minister has negotiated an even worse deal than Theresa May’s, which was overwhelmingly rejected. These proposals risk triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections: putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers’ rights, and opening up our NHS to a takeover by US private corporations. This sell out deal won’t bring the country together and should be rejected. The best way to get Brexit sorted is to give the people the final say in a public vote."

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, held a press conference and said, "The agreement has been agreed. Boris Johnson will present it to the EU27 later at the summit."

The deal according to Barnier is in four parts.

First, EU regulations will apply to all goods in Northern Ireland. This would translate to border checks.

Second, Northern Ireland will remain in the UK’s customs territory.

Third, the plan will maintain the integrity of the single market, while respecting the UK’s wishes.

And fourth, there will be a consent mechanism. Four years after the arrangements start, Northern Ireland will decide if these arrangements stay by a simple majority.

First Published:Oct 17, 2019 3:25 PM IST