Members of the European Parliament have finally agreed to BREXIT and UK’s terms of departure from the EU.
MEPs ratified the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement by 621 votes to 49 following the debate in Brussels.
After the vote, MEPs marked the UK’s exit by singing loudly Auld Lang Syne.
Several MEPs said they hoped the UK would return someday although Eurosceptics used their final speeches to tear into the EU.
The UK is due to leave the bloc at 23:00 GMT on Friday.
Ratification of the withdrawal agreement, agreed by the UK and EU in October, was not in doubt after it easily cleared its committee stage last week.
- An emotional send-off for Britain
- New Scottish MEP sworn in – for four days
- Tears and relief as the UK’s MEPs bid goodbye
- Mavericks to mainstream: The long campaign for Brexit
David Sassoli, hte paliarment president stated clearly that the two sides must heed the words of the late Labour MP Jo Cox when approaching their future relationship and recognise “there is more that unites us than divides us.”
Wednesday’s session shows both sides of the Brexit debate, including the UK’s 73 MEPs, celebrate or lament the end of British EU membership.
Some MEPs marked the occasion with songs – others wore “always united” scarves.
Brexit spokesman, Guy Verhofstadt, said it was “sad to see a country leaving that has twice given its blood to liberate Europe”.
he also said British MEPs had brought “wit, charm, and intelligence” as well as “stubbornness”, and would be missed.
