Post-Brexit trade agreement 'a good deal for whole of Europe': UK's Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said a new post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union would benefit both sides of the Channel, after a last-gasp agreement was secured.

"This is a good deal for the whole of Europe and for our friends and partners as well," he told a Downing Street news conference.

"It will not be a bad thing in my view to have a prosperous, dynamic and contented UK on your doorstep. It will be a good thing. It will drive jobs and prosperity across the whole continent."

UK will remain Europe's friend, ally and 'number one market': Johnson

Britain's post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union provides "a new stability and a new certainty", Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday, adding UK-EU relations had sometimes been "fractious and difficult".

"We will be your friend, your ally, your supporter and indeed never let it be forgotten your number one market," he said at a press conference announcing the agreement.

Merkel says 'confident' Brexit deal is 'good outcome'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "confident" a Brexit deal hammered out between the European Union and the United Kingdom on Thursday was a "good outcome".

"We will quickly be able to determine whether Germany can support today's result of the negotiations," she said in a statement, adding that her cabinet would meet Monday to review the accord.

"I am very confident that we have a good result."

Irish PM hails 'very welcome' UK-EU post-Brexit deal

EUIrish Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed the UK-EU post-Brexit deal as a "very welcome" development on Thursday, saying it would pave the way for a "good relationship in the years ahead".

"While we will miss the UK from the European Union, the fact that a deal is now in place means we can focus on how we manage good relationship in the years ahead," Martin said on Twitter.

Also on Twitter Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the deal provided "certainty at last" and would allow "a fresh start for UK relations" with Ireland and the bloc.

Scotland's future as 'an independent, European nation': First Minister Sturgeon

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted Thursday to news of Britain's post-Brexit trade deal with the EU by saying it was time for Scotland to be "an independent, European nation".

"Before the spin starts, it's worth remembering that Brexit is happening against Scotland's will," she added on Twitter. 

"And there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us."