Nov. 22 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday that a draft declaration for a Brexit deal has been reached.
"The British people want this to be settled. They want a good deal that sets us on course for a brighter future. That deal is within our grasp and I am determined to deliver it," May said at a press conference in London.
The deadline for the U.K. exit is March 29.
The 26-page declaration reportedly clarified issues on future trade and security relations between Britain and the European Union. But some of those who have read the draft criticize it as a vaguely worded document that does little to establish British independence from the E.U.
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"Just read Political Declaration. Lots of unicorns taking the place of facts about the future relationship," tweeted Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland. "Fair play to the EU for pushing it as far as possible...but it adds up to a blindfold Brexit. Difficult issues unresolved - so extended transition/backstop almost certain."
The declaration was also criticized for how it proposes to handle European access to Scotland's coastal areas for fishing.
"The political declaration commits UK to 'establish a new fisheries agreement on, inter allia, access to waters and quota shares.' This means sovereignty over our waters sacrificed for a trade deal," tweeted Scottish conservative MP Ross Thompson. "That is unacceptable. We must be a normal Independent coastal state like Norway."
Thompson added: "They want to stop Brexit, rejoin the EU and drag Scotland's fishermen hook, line and sinker back into the hated [Common Fisheries Policy] which has devastated coastal communities."
Spain has also criticized the deal for how it handles Gibraltar, a small British territory on the southernmost tip of Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wants Gibraltar negotiations to be handled strictly between London and Madrid and has threatened to veto the Brexit agreement if that is not agreed to.
"If the problem is not resolved, Spain will have to vote no to the Brexit agreement because if affects the essence of our country, of our nation," Sánchez said, according to El Pais.
The declaration draft comes one week after a 585-page withdrawal agreement detailing Britain's departure from the European Union was reached last week.
