‘Brussels and United Kingdom rapprochement on Northern Ireland issue’
NOS News•
The European Union and the United Kingdom are approaching an agreement on the customs union, which will allow for a solution to Northern Ireland’s separate status after Brexit. That reports the British newspaper The times.
Brussels is said to have approved a proposal from the British not to carry out routine checks on products destined for Northern Ireland.
The EU would also have included that the European Court of Justice may only rule on Northern Ireland if the judges in that country refer a case. Previously, the EU did not agree to this. The exact role of the European Court would still be a matter of debate. The rules for inspecting livestock are also still being discussed.
Northern Ireland Protocol
The breakthrough may bring an end to the long battle over Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit position. Since the United Kingdom left the EU three years ago, trade agreements have been in force over Northern Ireland, but according to the British, the political situation in that country is destabilizing. The UK internet market is also affected.
The British wanted at all costs to avoid a hard land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, because this could increase tensions. With Brexit it was announced that Northern Ireland will remain part of the European single market. There are major restrictions on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the kingdom.
The Times now records, based on UK government sources, that the parties are approaching an agreement on the Northern Ireland issue.