London: Britain and the European Union (EU) have begun a new chapter in their relationship as the Brexit transition period ended on December 31. Previously, in a message, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britain to seize the moment as the country embarks on a new journey as an independent global trading nation.

“The destiny of this great country now resides firmly in our hands. We take on this duty with a sense of purpose and with the interests of the British public at the heart of everything we do,” he said, Xinhua news agency reported. “11 p.m.on 31 December marks a new beginning in our country’s history and a new relationship with the EU as their biggest ally. This moment is finally upon us and now is the time to seize it.”

Also on the same day, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II gave Royal assent to a new law spelling out Britain’s future relationship with the EU, after the bill was approved in both the House of Commons (lower house of the British Parliament) and the House of Lords (upper house).

The free movement of people between Britain and the EU countries has ended, replaced in Britain by a “points-based” immigration system. Britons who want to stay in most of the EU for more than 90 days in any 180-day period will need a visa. British police have lost instant access to EU-wide databases on criminal records, fingerprints and wanted persons.

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