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EU to remain vigilant but helpful on Irish border protocol

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European Commission Interinstitutional Relations Vice President Maroš Šefčovič updated EU ministers on EU-UK relations (20 April) and the most recent developments, including his meeting with Lord Frost.

On the Withdrawal Agreement, the EU is insisting on the full implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Šefčovič emphasized that the UK must take a joint approach where there is mutual agreement on compliance, with accompanying concrete milestones and deadlines. 

Asked about British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suggestion that there were “absurd and unnecessary barriers” created by the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol, Šefčovič said: “When it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, this agreement was negotiated, signed and ratified by the government of Prime Minister Johnson,” adding that all agreements that had been signed and ratified must also be implemented.  

Šefčovič said the barriers were the consequence of the type of Brexit which was chosen by the British government. He underlined that it was the UK that had rejected proposals by the EU on questions of co-operation on animal health, which resulted in some of the problems Boris Johnson was referring to. 

At the same time Šefčovič repeated that Northern Ireland could have the best of both worlds, being part of the European Single Market for goods and in the UK internal market. He said: “I believe that we can make it work so that it could bring additional investment, additional businesses and also create new jobs in Northern Ireland if we find the good solutions to the outstanding issues we are discussing right now.”

The EU’s approach remains to be vigilant but helpful. In particular, Šefčovič said he was ready to listen and help local actors in Northern Ireland. 

On the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, he welcomed the European Parliament committees clearing the way for a plenary vote in April. The TCA is important in providing effective governance tools to enforce both the TCA and the Withdrawal Agreement.

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