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Britain and the European Union were signing the deal on
Wednesday and the British parliament will approve its
implementation, ending over four years of negotiation and
safeguarding nearly a $1 trillion of annual trade.
Both sides said the occasion was a chance to begin a new chapter
in a relationship forged as Europe rebuilt from World War Two,
but which has often seen Britain as a reluctant participant in
ever-tighter political and economic integration.
Johnson, in a specially convened sitting of parliament, said he
hoped to instead work "hand in glove" with the bloc when its
interests aligned, using Britain's new-found sovereignty to
reshape the British economy.
"Brexit is not an end but a beginning," Johnson said. "The
responsibility now rests with all of us to make the best use of
the powers that we regain, the tools that we've taken back into
our hands."
Parliament's lower house will vote on legislation that
implements the deal at around 1430 GMT and, with both main
parties due to vote in favour, it is expected to easily pass.
The upper house of parliament then debates the bill and it
should become law around midnight.
Earlier, against a backdrop of EU flags, top EU officials signed
the treaties struck on Dec. 24 to preserve Britain's tariff- and
quota-free access to the bloc's 450 million consumers.
"It is of the utmost importance for the European Union and the
United Kingdom to look forward, in view of opening a new chapter
in their relations," the bloc said in a statement, calling for
joint action on climate change and international affairs.
A British Royal Air Force plane was then due to take the
documents to Johnson before returning to Brussels with a signed
copy bearing the bloc's golden stars on the blue leather folder.
Britain formally left the EU nearly a year ago and the new
partnership agreement will regulate ties from Jan. 1 on
everything from trade to transport, energy links and fishing.
After both sides have signed, the deal will be in place until
the end of February, pending final approval by the European
Parliament to make it permanent.
(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and William James; Editing by
Giles Elgood/Guy Faulconbridge)
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