Belgium: Barnier hails 'fair and balanced' Brexit deal

EU Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier hailed a 'fair and balanced' Brexit deal, during a press conference of the European Council held in Brussels on Monday.
"On the EU side we still need to determine the internal procedures of the Union for agreeing to extend the transition. But globally speaking this deal is fair and balanced," Barnier stated.
He said that their priority is an "orderly withdrawal" without the need to use the backstop.
Speaking with regard to "the future relationship," he said that "both the EU and the UK would have full control of their own legislation and rulemaking."
Responding to a question regarding a possible prolongation of the transition period the EU negotiator said that "all governments" agree on having the "possibility to prolong [the transition period], but no decision has been taken."
He concluded by saying that both sides reached a "compromise" on agreeing on a "single customs area" at the request of the British government to have "a UK-wide backstop solution for Ireland."
The EU and the UK agreed on the draft text of a Brexit agreement after months of talks last week.
The UK will officially leave the EU on March 29, 2019 which will be followed by a transition period of 21 months until the end of December 2020.