The German Chancellor issued the warning in a rare interview with the Financial Times, as Ms Merkel nears the end of her tenure. She said the EU needed to respond to Britain’s departure by upping its game, and becoming “attractive, innovative, creative, a good place for research and education… competition can then be very productive.” Ms Merkel also discussed Berlin’s fears that the UK could become a serious economic competitor on its doorstep, as Britain will be able to diverge from current EU rules.
Boris Johnson’s Brexit Deal is nearing the final stages, as the House of Lords debate on the legislation nears a close.
Once it has been approved, the Withdrawal Agreement will then require Royal Assent before it is written into law.
But the Government faces one final hurdle, as MEPs in the European Parliament need to ratify the deal.
They are due to debate and vote on the Withdrawal Agreement on January 29 – just two days before Britain is set to leave the European Union.
Once the UK has left the bloc, the Prime Minister will enter into talks with Brussels to reach a trade deal.
They have until December 31, 2020 to reach an agreement – as Mr Johnson has insisted the transition period will not be extended.
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