Von der Leyen and Michel signed the Brexit agreement, now it goes to the European Parliament

The presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, signed today the agreement on the separation of the European Union (EU) with Great Britain, which means that it can now go to the European Parliament for ratification.

"We and Charles Michel have signed the exit agreement of Great Britain, which paves the way for its ratification in the European Parliament," Von der Leyen wrote in a Twitter message.

With the approval of Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, the text will now be submitted to the European Parliament on January 29 for ratification.

Then on Thursday, January 30, diplomats from EU member states will approve the deal in writing, ensuring that the UK exits the Union in an orderly manner at midnight on January 31.

"Things will inevitably change, but our friendship will remain. We begin a new chapter as partners and allies," Michel wrote in a tweet on his official account.

He added in French that he wanted them to write the new page together.

The EU negotiator for Brexit, French Michel Barnier, attended the signing organized early this morning at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, because the president of the European Council is traveling to Tyrrhenian today.

The agreement is to be sent to London to be signed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Yesterday, the British Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal approval to the text regulating the breakup with the European Union after 47 years.

The text was definitely adopted on Wednesday evening in the British Parliament.

The European Parliament will be the last body to declare itself.

Members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs recommended Thursday evening by an overwhelming majority that the agreement be approved at the EP plenary session on January 29.

The transition period until the end of 31 begins on January 2020, when the official separation took place.

Great Britain will continue to apply EU rules during that period, but will not participate in decision-making within the Union.

This avoids sudden termination of connections.

In that transitional period, the two sides should also agree on future relations, especially on a trade agreement, although many believe that this is too short a time for such negotiations.