This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
On October 17, 2019, the United Kingdom and the European Union finally reached an agreement on the Brexit deal.
The deal, which has been a long time coming, could bring an end to the uncertainty and turmoil that has surrounded the UK's exit from the EU.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the deal as a 'great new deal that takes back control,' urging Parliament to expedite its adoption by Saturday.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker echoed Johnson's sentiments, describing the new deal as a 'fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK.'
The agreement comes after three years of intense negotiations and several rejected deals presented to the UK Parliament.
One of the key stumbling blocks was the backstop for the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which has been a major concern for British commerce.
