The United Kingdom officially broke away from the European Union at 11 p.m. local time in London on Thursday.
The official break comes after the UK reached a deal last week establishing its economic relationship with the EU so that the UK wouldn’t endure a ‘hard’ no-deal Brexit in January.
The UK’s departure from the EU’s internal market marks the biggest economic change for the country since World War II, according to The Associated Press.
“We have our freedom in our hands and it is up to us to make the most of it,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the New Years video, calling it “a great moment for this country.”
There will be plenty who are only too happy to say goodbye to the grimness of 2020.
But this was also the year in which we rediscover a spirit of togetherness, of community.
In 2021 we will have our freedom and it is up to us to make the best of it. Happy New Year! pic.twitter.com/gDRXe2SuCb
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 31, 2020
This hiatus comes 11 months after the UK officially left the EU and entered a ‘transition period’.
While UK lockdown measures limit mass rallies, some Brexit supporters gathered outside Parliament to toast the news at 11 p.m., the AP said.
The deal announced last week did not impose any tariffs or quotas on the UK. However, businesses and traders will now have to deal with customs declarations and border controls.
The agreement also allows each party to use an independent grant control arbitrator to resolve any disputes.
One of the main provisions for both parties was an agreement on fishing rights for coastal cities in both the UK and the EU.
Both the UK and the EU agreed to “create a favorable environment for the development of trade and investment between them,” and the UK said it would introduce new rules for EU fishing in UK waters for 5½ years.