UK's Johnson hails 'new chapter' as he signs EU divorce treaty

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to sign the Brexit deal later Friday then return it to Brussels. LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday hailed"a new chapter" in Britain's history as he signed its divorce treaty with the EU, clearing another hurdle before the country exits the bloc next Friday.

Johnson signed the agreement in Downing Street, seated in front of two Union Jack flags, with European and British officials who had brought it from Brussels looking on. Then, on Friday, Jan 31, Britain spends its last day in the EU before leaving the bloc at 2300 GMT as clocks strike midnight in Brussels.In another move to prepare Brussels for relations with Britain as an outside power, the European Commission named an ambassador - veteran diplomat Joao Vale de Almeida - to London.

The former Belgian premier, whose council represents EU member governments, added, in French:"I'm keen to write this new page together." Hours later Johnson signed the same document with a Parker fountain pen, as is traditional for ceremonial signings in Downing Street.British voters backed leaving the European Union in a June 2016 referendum, and after lengthy negotiations and several delays Johnson's new government will finally"get Brexit done" next week.

Most experts regard the idea that London and Brussels could agree a comprehensive free trade agreement in that time as ambitious.Formal trade talks are not expected to begin until the end of February or even March, and in the meantime Barnier has been in intensive talks with EU member states on his negotiating mandate.

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