53For the purposes of examining those complaints, it should be noted at the outset that, in accordance with Article 127(6) of the Withdrawal Agreement, the United Kingdom – even if the failure to fulfil obligations of which it is accused is subsequent to its withdrawal from the European Union, as pointed out in paragraph 51 above, although prior to the expiry of the transition period – must be regarded for the purposes of examining the complaints raised by the Commission in support of its action as a ‘Member State’, and not as a third country, with Article 127(1) stating, moreover, that EU law was applicable to the United Kingdom during that transition period.