Brussels, Jan 29 (AFP/APP): Brexit Day is to be set in stone Wednesday when the European Parliament in Brussels casts a vote ratifying the terms of Britain’s divorce deal from the EU. The historic legislative act — the last for the 72 remaining British MEPs who will leave afterwards — will allow Brexit to officially take effect on Friday at 2300 GMT, midnight for most of continental Europe and 11:00 pm in Britain. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists that date will see Brexit “done”. But the EU underlines that the next, thornier phase of the split — working out a treaty to define the future relationship between the two sides — is about to begin. Those negotiations are to go to late this year. At the end of 2020, a transition period easing Britain out of EU rules and regulations will expire, unless extended by both sides — something Johnson has ruled out. The transition period, a standstill provision, means ordinary Britons and EU citizens will see little visible change, and indeed London will continue to contribute to the EU budget. But from this weekend onward, Britain will be excluded from the EU’s institutions and decision-making. It will officially … Continue reading Brexit to be sealed with final Brussels vote