#POLITICO » Feed alternate UK government scientists tell Boris Johnson to close schools in January EU ambassadors approve post-Brexit trade deal alternate [tr?id=394368290733607&ev=PageView&noscript=1] IFRAME: https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MLNH8XV Friday, January 15, 2021 * Editions + EU Edition + U.K. Edition + U.S. Edition * Events + About POLITICO Events + Future Events * More Info + About Us + Advertising + Content Studio + Press + Print Edition + Contact Us + Jobs + Careers at POLITICO (BUTTON) Primary Menu Politico Pro Register (BUTTON) Sign In Search for: ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Politico Pro * (BUTTON) Explore * (BUTTON) Subscribe and more * Featured Sections + Brussels + Germany + France + Britain + Migration + Elections in Europe + Defense + Foreign Policy + Poll of Polls + Continent + EU Recovery Plan + Special Reports * Policy Areas + Agriculture and Food + Brexit Transition + Competition and Industrial Policy + Cybersecurity and Data Protection + Energy and Climate + Financial Services + Health Care + Mobility + Sustainability + Technology + Trade + Trade UK * Featured Series + Telescope: AIDS + EU in Africa + Global Policy Lab + Changemakers + Energy Visions + The wonk's survival guide to the EU Green Deal * Columns + The Coming Wars + Europe At Large + World View + Beyond The Bubble + Declassified Events * See all future events * February 4-5 — POLITICO's 2021 EU Studies & Career Fair * March 4 — POLITICO's Finance Summit * May 31 — POLITICO's AI Summit Editions * EU Edition * U.K. Edition * U.S. Edition * Newsletters + Brussels Playbook What’s driving the day in Brussels + London Playbook What’s driving the day in Westminster + EU Influence Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the EU + London Influence Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. + Playbook Paris What’s driving the day in Paris, en français + Sunday Crunch The weekly digest of the best stories in U.K. politics + AI Decoded + EU Confidential + Coronavirus Daily Update + EU In Africa * Multimedia + EU Confidential + Westminster Insider + Campaign Confidential + Print Edition + Poll of Polls * our apps + Play Store + App Store * Social Links + Facebook + Twitter + LinkedIn Discover POLITICO Pro In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. Five reasons to go Pro Areas of coverage Expert journalists Customers Contact us Hot Topics * Coronavirus in Europe * Brexit * U.S. Transition * Brussels Playbook * London Playbook Brexit will discourage others from leaving the EU, Barnier says ‘There are true differences between a member country and a third country,’ according to EU’s chief Brexit negotiator. EU and UK agree on a Brexit trade deal The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier | Pool photo by Francisco Seco/EFE via EPA By Giorgio Leali December 28, 2020 11:09 am * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share on Linkedin * Mail * Print Brexit negotiations have convinced politicians and voters from other EU countries that leaving the bloc is not a good idea, according to the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. "These negotiations have reinforced the conviction of leaders and citizens that it is better to be together rather than on one's own," Barnier said in an interview with Le Figaro on Sunday. "There are true differences between a member country and a third country! We will see it pretty soon," he added, while calling on the EU to "draw lessons from Brexit" and take closer heed of citizens' concerns. The EU and the U.K. concluded a post-Brexit trade deal last week, just in time to avoid a cliff-edge Brexit at the end of the transition period on December 31. European diplomats are meeting today and are expected to agree to approve the Brexit deal provisionally “by written procedure,” one EU diplomat told POLITICO. The European Parliament’s U.K. Coordination Group is also meeting today to discuss the way forward. Parliament President David Sassoli will then convene a Conference of Presidents with political group leaders, plus Barnier and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss when the final ratification might take place. The most difficult part of negotiations came in the final phase, Barnier told Le Figaro. "We've been on the verge of break up several times. In London a month ago, then in Brussels more recently, during a phone call between Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson," he said, noting that von der Leyen played a decisive role in avoiding a crisis. Barnier took pride in having been transparent throughout the negotiations and having taken concerns on board from all EU countries. "It's a lesson to be drawn for the future. The EU, without the United Kingdom, cannot limit itself to a Franco-German dialogue," the French official said. The next challenge for the deal is ratification. Barnier didn't dare to predict whether all EU countries will ratify the deal, but he envisaged "questions and maybe some criticism." The chief negotiator didn't exclude future disputes with London on the application of the deal, but he stressed that violations will be heavily sanctioned, including by suspending the effects of the agreement if Britain cuts off access to its waters or heavily distorts competition. Want more analysis from POLITICO? POLITICO Pro is our premium intelligence service for professionals. From financial services to trade, technology, cybersecurity and more, Pro delivers real time intelligence, deep insight and breaking scoops you need to keep one step ahead. Email [email protected] to request a complimentary trial. More from ... Giorgio Leali Most Read Articles * 1 Mark Rutte pulls plug on Dutch government, plans immediate return January 15, 2021 1:50 pm * 2 8 reasons the UK leads Europe’s coronavirus vaccination race January 14, 2021 11:51 am * 3 Portugal imposes new coronavirus lockdown January 13, 2021 8:30 pm * 4 EU should stop speaking ‘broken English’ after Brexit, says French minister January 12, 2021 7:18 pm * 5 The secrets to Israel’s coronavirus vaccination success January 11, 2021 6:13 pm Next up UK refused deal on post-Brexit travel for musicians, says Barnier UK refused deal on post-Brexit travel for musicians, says Barnier January 15, 2021 2:43 pm By David M. Herszenhorn Europe’s lack of rocket ‘audacity’ leaves it scrambling in the space race Europe’s lack of rocket ‘audacity’ leaves it scrambling in the space race January 15, 2021 12:28 pm By Joshua Posaner UK economy began double dip in November as GDP fell 2.6 percent UK economy began double dip in November as GDP fell 2.6 percent January 15, 2021 10:22 am By Merlin Sugue UK minister denies post-Brexit plan to weaken workers’ rights UK minister denies post-Brexit plan to weaken workers’ rights January 15, 2021 10:10 am By William Adkins Related Tags Brexit Business and competition Competition/antitrust Fisheries Negotiations Trade Trade Agreements Related Countries France Germany United Kingdom Related People Boris Johnson David Sassoli Michel Barnier Ursula von der Leyen Related Organizations European Commission European Parliament Subscribe to POLITICO's Newsletters Subscribe to POLITICO's Newsletters From breaking stories to the insiders track on what is driving the day in Brussels, London and Paris Subscribe today Explore politico EU * Brussels Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. * Germany Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on German politics. * France Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on French politics. * Elections in Europe Latest news, analysis and comment on elections in Europe and beyond. * Migration Latest news, analysis and comment on migration in Europe and beyond. * Defense Latest news, analysis and comment on defense in Europe and beyond. * Security Latest news, analysis and comment on security in Europe and beyond. * Continent Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on the continent. * Policy Areas + Agriculture and Food + Brexit Transition + Competition and Industrial Policy + Cybersecurity and Data Protection + Health Care + Energy and Climate + Financial Services + Mobility + Sustainability + Technology + Trade + Trade UK * Newsletters + Brussels Playbook + London Playbook + London Influence + EU Influence + Sunday Crunch + AI Decoded + EU Confidential + Davos Playbook + Coronavirus Daily Update + EU In Africa Explore Products * Series + Telescope: AIDS + EU in Africa + Global Policy Lab + Changemakers + Energy Visions * Columns + The Coming Wars + Declassified + Europe At Large + World View + Beyond The Bubble * Multimedia + EU Confidential + Westminster Insider + Campaign Confidential + Print Edition + Poll of Polls * our apps + Play Store + App Store * Events Explore the live extension of our journalism * Discover POLITICO Pro In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. 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