EU nations welcome trade deal with UK

Brussels, Dec 25 : Seven days before the Brexit transition period ends on December 31, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced the reaching of an agreement that will govern the EU-UK trade and security relationship starting from January 1, 2021.
The European Parliament and EU member states hailed the last-minute deal with relief while some, with a sentiment tinged with caution, pledged to scrutinize the text before giving a green light, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, at a press conference in Brussels, said the 27-member bloc has reached “a fair and balanced agreement” with Britain.
“It is fair, it is a balanced deal, and it is right and responsible thing to do for both sides,” she said. “To our friends in the UK, I want to say, parting is such sweet sorrow,” she added.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in his virtual press conference at Downing Street, said his country has “taken back control” when securing the post-Brexit trade deal.
“We have taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation, in a way that is complete and unfettered,” he said.