LONDON, Jan. 30-- Amid continuing public concerns over uncertainties, Britain is set to leave the European Union (EU) on Friday after its Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal was given final seal of approval in the European Parliament Wednesday. There were emotional scenes in the European Parliament as MEPs voted by 621 to 49 in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement and linked hands to sing a final chorus of Auld Lang Syne. British MEPs are packing up their offices in Brussels, as 3 million Brexit commemorative 50p (about 65.5 U.S. cents) coins, promising "friendship with all nations", will go into circulation across Britain on Friday to mark the exit at 11:00 p.m. (2300 GMT). Johnson is expected to deliver a speech next week saying he is willing to accept border checks after Brexit, with sovereignty prioritised over frictionless trade, according to English newspaper The Daily Telegraph. However, British citizens living in the EU remain confused and worried about their post-Brexit healthcare and pension provision, despite the fact that both issues were considered settled satisfactorily in the Withdrawal Agreement, a Guardian callout suggested. More than 100 of over 600 British nationals on the continent, who responded to the callout, cited fears of shrinking pensions and losing the right to medical treatment. Much of the confusion has arisen due to the announcements last year about the rules that would apply in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement, a legally binding international treaty, means these announcements are no longer valid. |