Top officials of European Union signs the Brexit agreement

Top European Union (EU) officials signed the Brexit agreement on Friday.

According to the details, The heads of the EU Commission and Council put their signatures on the Brexit deal negotiated with the UK. Here’s what else needs to happen before Britain leaves the bloc at the end of the month.

Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and Council leader Charles Michel attended Friday’s official signing ceremony at the Council’s headquarters in Brussels, alongside chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

European Council President Charles Michel tweeted photos of the overnight signing with the president of the EU’s powerful executive commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in the presence of their Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

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Today I signed the UK Withdrawal Agreement for the EU together with @vonderleyen

Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain. We start a new chapter as partners and allies.

Hâte d’écrire ensemble cette nouvelle page. pic.twitter.com/a7zmGeBwZS

— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) January 24, 2020

Their signatures act as a formal endorsement and the treaty can now head to the European Parliament on January 29 for a final vote on ratification. The plenary is expected to pass the deal.

.@eucopresident Charles Michel and I have just signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, opening the way for its ratification by the European Parliament. pic.twitter.com/rEqnUnJA2E

— Ursula von der Leyen #UnitedAgainstCoronavirus (@vonderleyen) January 24, 2020

Earlier on January 31, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a victory of British Parliament on Friday that paves the way for Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Boris Johnson said the country was now “one step closer to getting Brexit done”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told his MPs to vote against the bill, saying there was “a better and fairer way” to leave the EU – but six of them backed the government.

Mr Johnson insists a trade deal with the EU can be in place by the end of the transition period, but critics say this timescale is unrealistic.

The bill had been expected to pass easily after the Conservatives won an 80-seat majority at last week’s general election.