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UK, European Union announce new Brexit deal

New deal awaits ratification from UK and European parliaments

UK PM Boris Johnson leaves a house in London | AFP

After days of intense negotiations, Britain and the European Union have a struck a new Brexit deal. Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, announced the agreement on Thursday. However, the deal will still need UK and European parliaments' approvals.

"Where there is a will, there is a deal—we have one! It's a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is testament to our commitment to find solutions," Juncker said in a post on Twitter. "We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control—now Parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities like the cost of living, the NHS, violent crime and our environment," UK prime minister Boris Johnson tweeted praising the new deal struck before the UK's scheduled departure from the 28-member bloc on October 31.

The agreement awaits formal approved by all of the EU's member states.

"The EU and the UK were fully committed to protect peace and stability on the island of Ireland," EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said. He added that the Brexit discussions "have been difficult, but we have delivered". 

However, UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the deal sounded "even worse" than what was negotiated by the PM's predecessor, Theresa May, and "should be rejected" by MPs. British legislators are set to vote on the agreement during a special sitting of the House of Commons on Saturday. 

The UK Parliament has already rejected a Brexit deal negotiated by Johnson's predeccesor, Theresa May, thrice.