The EU intends to two months may be thinking about whether or not they have at the end of last year, enclosed Brexit deal is final approval. The European Commission wishes to make a request to the British, who are not happy with the postponement. When the UK decides whether it agrees to the postponement, it is not yet clear.
On Christmas Eve, just before that deadline, both sides made a deal about the future trade relationship. The European Parliament (EP) then provisionally approved them until the end of February 2021.
In the meantime, Parliament could then use the time to go through the deal more carefully, and then finally agree to it. However, it now seems that the EP needs more time. That is why Brussels is asking for a postponement until 30 april. In the commission’s view, the additional time is needed because the Brexit agreement has to be translated into 24 different languages.
David Frost, who conducted the Brexit negotiations on behalf of the UK, told the British House of Lords on Tuesday that he was aware of the request for postponement, but that he was not enthusiastic about it. “Of course it is disappointing, as we discussed this a month ago.”
If the reflection period is not extended, a meeting is planned at the end of February at which the EP will decide on the Brexit deal. Previous debates of parliamentary committees have shown that a majority of Parliament supports the deal.