What is Brexit?
Brexit is the name given to United Kingdom's exit from European Union. It is a combination of "Britain" and "exit". Brexit happened on 31st January 2020. Before this took place, United Kingdom was a part of European Union since 1st January 1973. Although UK left EU on 31st January, 2020, both sides agreed to keep many things the same until 31 December 2020, to allow enough time to agree to the terms of a new trade deal. As from 1 January 2021, relations between the UK and the EU are based on the "Trade and Cooperation Agreement" - an ambitious agreement, but one that amounts to a major change for citizens, companies and public authorities in both the EU and the UK.
What is the Trade and Cooperation Agreement?
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement is a long and complex text with content that can be divided into four main sections:
The first on free trade, eliminating quotas and customs duties between the UK and the EU, establishing a title on the Level Playing Field - conditions for fair competition - one of the greatest demands of the EU during the negotiations.
The second section establishes a framework for economic, social, environmental and fishing cooperation, which contains provisions aimed at ensuring energy connectivity and on transport, together with coordination in areas related to social security.
The third section regulates an association on internal security based on such existing mechanisms as Europol and Eurojust and including provisions on the handover of detainees, the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Lastly, a fourth section establishes a common governance framework based on an institutional framework that has an "Association Council", co-chaired by a member of the European Commission and by a representative of the British Government at a ministerial level, who will supervise the application of the Agreement and will be assisted by Specialized Committees and Working Groups.
What's in the Brexit deal?
Freedom to work and live between the UK and the EU also comes to an end, and in 2021, UK nationals will need a visa if they want to stay in the EU more than 90 days in a 180-day period.
Northern Ireland will continue to follow many of the EU's rules in order to avoid a hardening of its border with the Republic of Ireland. This will mean however that new checks will be introduced on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
Now that it's no longer in the EU, the UK is free to set its own trade policy and can negotiate deals with other countries. Talks are being held with the US, Australia and New Zealand - countries that currently don't have free trade deals with the EU.
What were the reasons behind Brexit?
There were many reasons why Britain voted to leave the European Union. But some of the main issues behind Brexit included a rise in nationalism, immigration, political autonomy, and the economy. The Leave side garnered almost 52% of the votes while the Remain side received about 48% of the vote.
How many countries are part of the EU post-Brexit?
Brexit (Britain's exit from the European Union) left 27 member states. They are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.