Divorce is declared. After 47 years of stormy cohabitation, the United Kingdom became the first country to leave the European Union on Friday, January 31, to write a new chapter, full of uncertainties, in its history. It took three and a half years of heartbreak for the great leap into the unknown, voted 52% by the British in 2016, to materialize.
Although the day may be historic, it does not bring about any great concrete change in the immediate future. To keep the separation smooth, the UK will continue to apply EU rules until December 31.
The United Kingdom must now tackle the difficult task of rebuilding relations with the bloc reduced to 27 and amputated by 66 million inhabitants. But also with the great powers like the United States of Donald Trump, who are calling him down.
Among the first foreign officials to react, American Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo promised in a tweet from " to reinforce " the "Already strong relationships" with its historic ally.
I am pleased the UK and EU have agreed on a #Brexit deal that honors the will of the British people. We will contin… https://t.co/Qa0uKyHoCL
- Boris Johnson promises "resounding success"
At one hour of the fateful moment, while a countdown was launched on the facade of Downing Street, Prime Minister Boris Johnson predicted that Brexit, of which he was a fierce promoter, would be a "Resounding success", "Whatever the obstacles".
"The most important thing to say tonight is that it is not the end, but the beginning, the moment when dawn breaks and the curtain rises on a new act", he added, lyrically, promising "The beginning of a new era of friendly cooperation" with the European Union.
Beware of any triumphalism, he had previously insisted before his ministers on his will to "Turn the page on divisions" and "Work at full steam" to bring the country together.
At 55, Boris Johnson can savor the achievement of Brexit as a victory, after having been elected by a large majority in December on this promise. He succeeded where the previous Downing Street tenant, Theresa May, had failed.
- Pro-Brexit jubilant outside Westminster
On the outskirts of the Westminster Parliament, half a minute before 11 p.m. (midnight Brussels time), the crowd gathered to celebrate Brexit counted howling for the last 30 seconds. "We will never go back!" " Nigel Farage had promised a few moments earlier to the 10,000 supporters gathered in front of Westminster for this ultimate "Brexit Party".
"We are going to work with the EU, to trade with the EU, but we will no longer take our orders elsewhere than at home!" We will be free and sovereign! ", pursued the most relentless promoter of Brexit before the crowd started "Rule Britannia, Britons never, never, never shall be slaves" ("Go to Britain, the British will never, never, never be slaves"), then, of course, the God Save the Queen…
Our reporter Raphaëlle Bacqué was on site:
The moment when the United Kingdom left the European Union https://t.co/btkwNAaqS2
- Next, difficult and uncertain negotiations with Brussels
Trade, security, fisheries … With Brussels, the terms of cooperation must be defined by the end of the year. In the coming weeks, tough negotiations will open and their outcome remains very uncertain. London wants to succeed in record time and rules out any extension of the transition beyond 2020. A calendar considered very tight in Brussels.
Boris Johnson, who will detail his vision at the beginning of next week, has already clearly announced that he is aiming for a free trade agreement of the same type as that signed by the EU with Canada, without alignment with Community rules, even if it means accept customs controls.
Brussels, which fears unfair competition, has already warned: without "Fair conditions" in terms of the environment, work or taxation, no "Broad access to the single market".
From Brussels to Berlin via Paris, European leaders expressed their regret and their determination to find "The best possible partnership". "A historic alarm signal" who must "Make us think", warned French President Emmanuel Macron. " Good bye and good luck ", tweeted Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney.
Good bye & good luck to my friends in the UK. History is changing course tonight. I hope we can make the new realit… https://t.co/4TcgyPiI6Q
- "Scotland will return to the heart of Europe", promises the Scottish Prime Minister
The event marks a new episode where everything remains to be written; but not the end of the divisions which fractured the United Kingdom. The “remainers” keep a bitter taste, especially in the British provinces which voted for the majority to stay in the EU, in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
"Scotland will return to the heart of Europe as an independent country"tweeted Scottish separatist Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, determined to fight London’s refusal to allow a referendum on independence.
Scotland will return to the heart of Europe as an independent country – #LeaveALightOnForScotland 🏴 https://t.co/Pc2fibYnG4
In Edinburgh, the flag will continue to float after Brexit in front of the local assembly, where hundreds of people gathered on Friday evening to express their opposition to the departure from the EU.
- Suspension of French fishermen's access to Guernsey waters
Guernsey authorities have "Temporarily suspended" from Saturday the access of French fishing vessels to the waters of the Channel Island, announced the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, on the night of Friday to Saturday. "For the specific case of Guernsey waters, the access of French fishermen to 6-12 miles is based on the London Convention, which also expires on January 31 at midnight, following the denunciation of the United Kingdom", said the ministry in a press release.
If following discussions with Guernsey, "Access to water will be maintained until the end of the year", as in British waters, the time to find a compromise between the EU and the United Kingdom on fishing, "Administratively, due to the expiration of the London Convention, the terms of this access must be renewed", indicates the ministry.
"The Guernsey authorities have decided this evening to establish an individual authorization scheme. The procedure to apply for these authorizations must be put in place next week ”, according to the ministry which indicates that "During this period, the access of French ships to Guernsey waters is temporarily suspended".
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