European Union leaders endorse exit deal with Britain

World Today

President Jean-Claude Juncker, center, kisses European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel BarnierEuropean Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, center, kisses European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, as European Council President Donald Tusk looks on after a media conference at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

A deal has been struck between Britain and the European Union after two-years of negotiation and it now marks a new beginning of a crucial national debate in the United Kingdom
CGTN’s Mariam Zaidi reports.

Follow Mariam Zaidi on Twitter @zaidi_mariam

A historic Brexit summit and after months of torturous negotiations, the day had come.

European Union leaders gathered on Sunday to formally sign off on both the 585 page withdrawal agreement and the political declaration on the UK and EU’s future relationship.

“All along this extraordinary negotiation, I have worked with my team and negotiated with the UK, never against the UK,” said the EU’s Lead Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier.

But as he took the stage with EU Presidents Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker  after the deal was signed sealed and delivered, they issued a stark warning for those back in the UK who do not support Theresa May and this deal.

“This is the best deal possible for Britain, the best deal possible for Europe, this is the only deal possible, the only deal possible,” Juncker said.

So for them should the UK parliament not ratify the Brexit deal, the UK has three options: A No deal Brexit, a second referendum or a General Election. And none would result in renegotiation with the EU.

Theresa May also used the summit to send a message back home. She asked MPs not to open the door to division by voting down this Brexit deal.