Remarks by President Ursula von der Leyen at the press conference on the outcome of the EU-UK negotiations

Good afternoon,

We have, finally, found an agreement. 

It was a long and winding road. But we have got a good deal to show for it. 

It is fair and balanced. And it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides.

Les négociations ont été très difficiles.

Avec de tels enjeux, pour tant de monde – c'était un accord pour lequel il fallait se battre.

Il permettra d'éviter des perturbations majeures : pour les travailleurs, les entreprises et les voyageurs après le premier janvier.

Il protègera les intérêts européens.

Et cet accord est aussi – je le crois – dans l'intérêt du Royaume-Uni.

Il posera les fondations solides d'un nouveau départ avec un ami de longue date.

Et, enfin, il nous permettra aujourd´hui de nous assurer que nous pouvons finalement laisser le Brexit derrière nous.

L'Europe continue d'avancer.

Die Europäische Union hat in all dieser Zeit große Einigkeit bewiesen.

Sie konnte sich dabei auf die Kraft von 450 Millionen Menschen und des größten Binnenmarktes der Welt stützen.

Wie wichtig das ist, sieht man diesem Abkommen an: Kapitel für Kapitel, Zeile für Zeile.

Let me give you three examples:

First:

Competition in our Single Market will be fair and remain so.

The EU´s rules and standards will be respected.

We have effective tools to react if fair competition is distorted and impacts our trade.

Secondly:

We will continue cooperating with the UK, in all areas of mutual interest.

For example in the fields of climate change, energy, security and transport.

Together we still achieve more than we do apart.

And thirdly:

We have secured five and a half years of full predictability for our fishing communities and strong tools to incentivise it to remain so.

Of course, this whole debate has always been about sovereignty.

But we should cut through the soundbites and ask ourselves what sovereignty actually means in the 21st century.

For me, it is about being able to seamlessly do work, travel, study and do business in 27 countries.

It is about pooling our strength and speaking together in a world full of great powers.

And in a time of crisis it is about pulling each other up – instead of trying to get back to your feet alone.

The European Union shows how this works in practice.

And no deal in the world can change reality or gravity in today's economy and today's world.

We are one of the giants.

Die EU ist gut auf den Brexit vorbereitet.

Wir wissen, dass dieses Abkommen nicht alle Probleme aus der Welt schafft.

Wir haben eng mit Behörden und Unternehmen zusammengearbeitet um sicherzustellen, dass sie vorbereitet sind.

Wir haben in unserem neuen Haushalt 5 Milliarden Euro vorgesehen.

Damit wollen wir vom Brexit betroffene Menschen, Regionen und Wirtschaftsbereiche unterstützen.

So now is the time to turn the page and look to the future.

The United Kingdom is a third country. But it remains a trusted partner.

We are long standing allies.

We share the same values and interests.

Whether it be the COP26 summit in Glasgow or the upcoming UK G7 and Italian G20 presidencies:

The Eropean Union and the United Kingdom will stand shoulder to shoulder to deliver on our common global goals.

Ce moment marque l'aboutissement d'un long voyage.

Je voudrais remercier notre négociateur en chef, Michel Barnier et son équipe, ainsi que Stéphanie Riso, pour leurs efforts incessants, leur endurance, leur professionnalisme.

I also want to thank David Frost and Tim Barrow for having been tough but fair negotiating partners.

And I am grateful to all our Member States and the European Parliament for their trust and their support.

I will now convene the College.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the end of successful negotiations I normally feel joy.

But today I only feel quiet satisfaction and, frankly speaking, - relief.

I know this is a difficult day for some.

And to our friends in the United Kingdom I want to say: parting is such sweet sorrow.

But to use a line from TS Eliot: What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

So to all Europeans I say: It is time to leave Brexit behind.

Our future is made in Europe.

Thank you so much.