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No Time to Rest: EU Nations Assess Brexit Trade Deal with UK

Associated Press

   BRUSSELS - The fast-track ratification of the post-Brexit trade deal
   between the U.K. and the European Union got underway on Christmas Day
   as ambassadors from the bloc's 27 nations started assessing the accord
   that takes effect in a week.

   At Friday's exceptional meeting, the ambassadors were briefed about the
   details of the draft treaty by the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel
   Barnier.

   They are set to reconvene again on Monday and have informed lawmakers
   at the European Parliament that they intend to take a decision on the
   preliminary application of the deal within days.

   While voicing their sadness at the rupture with Britain, EU leaders are
   relieved that the tortuous aftermath of the Brexit vote had come to a
   conclusion in Thursday's agreement about future trade ties.

   All member states are expected to back the agreement as is the European
   Parliament, which can only give its consent retrospectively as it can't
   reconvene until 2021. British lawmakers have to give their approval,
   too, and are being summoned next week to vote on the accord.

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