The UK and the EU have agreed terms for a 21-month transition after Brexit, providing business with much stronger assurances that a cliff-edge exit will be avoided next year.

英国和欧盟(EU)已达成英国退欧后21个月过渡期的条款，为企业提供了更有力的保证，即明年将会避免跌落悬崖式的英国退欧。

The conditional agreement reached by Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, and David Davis, the UK’s Brexit secretary, represents one of the most valuable economic guarantees secured by the UK since Brexit talks began. Markets welcomed the news, with sterling climbing above $1.40 against the dollar to reach its highest level in three weeks.

欧盟首席谈判代表米歇尔•巴尼耶(Michel Barnier，文首照片左)和英国退欧事务大臣戴维•戴维斯(David Davis，文首照片右)达成的这份附条件的协议，是英国自退欧谈判启动以来获得的最具价值的经济保障之一。市场对这一消息表示欢迎，英镑兑美元汇率突破1英镑兑换1.40美元，达到三周以来的最高水平。

Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Mr Barnier said the deal was a “decisive step”.

周一，巴尼耶在布鲁塞尔讲话称，这份协议是“决定性的一步”。

“We were able to agree this morning . . . on a large part of what will make up an international agreement for the ordered withdrawal of the UK,” Mr Barnier said.

“今天上午，我们成功达成协议……它将在很大程度上构成保证英国有序退出的国际协议，”巴尼耶说。

Under the time-limited period, the UK will have to abide by all existing EU rules but will lose its say in the decision-making process.

在这段有限的时间内，英国将不得不遵守欧盟现有的所有规则，但将在欧盟决策过程中失去发言权。

The negotiators published a colour-coded draft text of Britain’s withdrawal agreement, showing areas of agreement and dispute. The two most difficult political issues — governance and the Northern Ireland border — were left in “white”, noting further negations were required.

谈判代表们公布了一份带有彩色标记的英国退欧协议草稿，显示出双方意见一致和存在争议的领域。两个最棘手的政治问题——治理和北爱尔兰边境——都被标记为“白色”，表明还需要进一步的谈判。

The two sides were able to reach comprehensive agreements on a financial settlement and the rights of about 4m citizens affected by Brexit. While progress was made in other parts of the divorce treaty, disagreement remains over judicial co-operation, data protection and intellectual property.

双方成功就财务结算和受英国退欧影响的约400万公民的权利达成全面协议。尽管这份分手条约的其他部分取得了进展，但双方在司法合作、数据保护和知识产权方面仍然存在分歧。

Mr Barnier said he was confident the EU could agree on an “ambitious” framework for future UK-EU foreign and security policy during the transition period.

巴尼耶表示，他相信欧盟将能在过渡期内就英欧未来的外交和安全政策“宏大”框架达成协议。