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| - Britain's divorce from the European Union becomes final at the end of 2020, but hopes are dwindling that a post-Brexit trade deal will be sealed before time runs out. Whether or not they reach an agreement, the end of the year will bring the curtain down on almost half a century of tumultuous UK membership. Britain's departure -- the first in the history of the EU -- follows a divisive referendum in 2016. Britain left the bloc on January 31 this year but it was bound by EU rules under a transition deal that ends on December 31. AFP will shortly be moving the following stories: Britain-EU-politics-Brexit-future,FOCUS BRUSSELS British politicians often speak of Brexit as an opportunity to escape Brussels' shackles, but does the divorce also free Europe to go its own way? 700 words by Dave Clark and Francoise Michel. Picture Britain-EU-politics-Brexit-summit,POINTS BRUSSELS As Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to head to Brussels in a final bid to break the logjam, here is a look at the three main sticking points fuelling fears of a "no deal" divorce. 650 words by Alex Pigman. Picture. Video Britain-EU-Brexit-politics-citizens-rights,FOCUS LONDON Most EU citizens in the UK will retain their existing rights after Brexit but on January 1 a two-tiered system comes into force that may exclude thousands. 650 words by Anna Cuenca. File picture Britain-EU-Brexit-politics-economy,FOCUS LONDON With or without a trade deal, Brexiteers have long argued Britain will prosper outside the European Union. But the outlook remains uncertain, as the economy struggle to recover from the hit of the coronavirus outbreak. 700 words by Jean-Baptiste Oubrier. File picture Britain-EU-politics-Brexit-citizens,FACTS BRUSSELS From January 1 British and EU citizens will be confronted with the reality of Brexit as the transition period ends and borders done away with decades ago return. 850 words by Marc Burleigh afp
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