London plans to unilaterally change post-Brexit deal ‘in the coming weeks’, EU response

Due to the political deadlock in the British province and the disruption in trade between the province and the rest of the United Kingdom, London is looking to renegotiate in-depth with the European Union on the Northern Irish Protocol concluded at the time of Brexit, called simply Ready for Habitat. Stay.

The text creates a de facto customs border with controls in the Irish Sea which disrupts trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom and plunges the province into political trouble.

After months of fruitless discussions, diplomacy chief Liz Truss explained to deputies that the government intended to “introduce a bill to change the protocol in the coming weeks”.

“It is not about dismantling the protocol” and the proposed legislation is in line with the United Kingdom’s obligations in international law, with the minister stressing the project risks triggering the anger of the EU side.

“Our priority remains a negotiated solution with the EU, and with the introduction of legislation, we are open to further discussion if we can achieve the same outcome through a dialogue,” said Ms Truss. .

EU Responds

The protocol is “an international agreement signed by the EU and the United Kingdom. Unilateral action unlike an international agreement is not acceptable”, warned European Commission Vice President Maros Sefkovic in the process.

“If the UK decides to move forward with a bill removing component parts of the protocol, as announced today by the UK government, the EU will have to respond with all the means at its disposal,” he warned. Gave. He said the British government’s announcement “raises significant concerns”.

London wants to deeply renegotiate the Northern Irish Protocol, which was concluded within the framework of the Brexit treaty, but the EU says it is only ready to make adjustments.

“The European Commission has offered a bespoke arrangement of considerable scope and influence to facilitate the movement of goods from the UK to Northern Ireland,” Maros Sefkovic said in the statement.

“These proposals – which stem from our extensive engagement with stakeholders in Northern Ireland – include, among other things, drastically reduced and simplified customs procedures in one express lane and on an unprecedented scale. They can make a real difference on the ground. are,” he said.

The European Commission says it is “ready to continue discussions with the British Government to identify common solutions within the framework of the protocol”.