Brexit Negotiations Timeline

Background

Brexit, short for "British exit," refers to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (EU). The process began in 2016 with a referendum in which 52% of voters opted to leave the EU. The UK formally notified the EU of its intention to withdraw in March 2017, triggering a two-year negotiation process.

Key Events in the Negotiations

The Brexit negotiations were complex and protracted, spanning several years. Here are some of the key events that shaped the process:

2017

• March: UK triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, formally notifying the EU of its intention to withdraw.
• June: First round of Brexit negotiations begins in Brussels.

2018

• July: UK and EU reach an agreement on the first phase of negotiations, covering citizens' rights, the financial settlement, and the Irish border.

2019

• January: Talks on the second phase of negotiations begin, focusing on the future relationship between the UK and EU.
• March: UK and EU reach a withdrawal agreement, setting out the terms of the UK's exit from the EU. However, the agreement is rejected by the UK Parliament three times.
• October: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson secures a new withdrawal agreement with the EU, which is approved by the UK Parliament.

2020

• January 31: UK formally leaves the EU at 23:00 GMT.
• February: UK and EU enter into a transition period during which the UK remains subject to EU laws and regulations.

Conclusion

The Brexit negotiations were a complex and challenging process that spanned several years. The timeline above provides a brief overview of the key events that shaped the process. As the UK moves forward outside the EU, it remains to be seen what the long-term implications of Brexit will be.