A deal has been reached between the UK and the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocolthe BBC reported, citing its senior sources in London and Brussels.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the “decisive breakthrough” with the EU on future trade measures in Northern Ireland.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said the signed Windsor Framework was a “historic” document that allowed Britain and the EU to begin a “new chapter” in their relationship.
According to Sunak the agreement will remove any semblance of a border in the Irish Sea, that is between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. He promised that goods from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland would move through a system of green and red lanes: the “green” lanes, that is, without customs formalities, would be goods that would not go further in transit to the EU.
“The UK and the European Union may have had their differences in the past, but we are allies, trading partners and friends. And we have seen that clearly over the past year, uniting with others (partners) in support of UkraineRishi Sunak said.
The agreement must be approved by the British Parliament. Sunak said it would take some time to “digest” the agreements reached and only then would the matter be put to a vote.
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland said his party was now examining the legal texts published earlier in the day setting out the proposed new post-Brexit trade deals agreed between Britain and the EU.
Geoffrey Donaldson said that it is generally clear, that significant progress has been made in a number of areas of the trade rules for Northern Ireland, but key issues of concern remain.
“The DUP will want to scrutinize the details of what has been published today, as well as scrutinizing the details of any underlying legal texts. Where necessary, we are prepared to engage with the Government to seek further clarification, redrafting or change as requirements,” Donaldson said in a statement.
“There can be no hiding the fact that in some sectors of our economy EU law remains applicable in Northern Ireland.”
The DUP has boycotted the Northern Ireland regional assembly for the past year in protest at post-Brexit checks between the UK and Northern Irelandand Donaldson said Monday that this “principled position” was justified.
He specified that the party would evaluate the new arrangements against the “seven tests” it had drawn up during the negotiations and then decide whether the deal “respects and restores Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom”.
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The talks dragged on for more than a year. There were indeed times when relations were particularly strained; especially as the EU began to sue the UK, angered by the British government’s plans to potentially begin to roll back parts of the mutually agreed agreement.
At times it looked like the two countries could be headed for a “trade war” unless someone backed down. In the end, both sides made concessions.
Rishi Sunak paused legislation repealing parts of the protocol, and Brussels halted the legal process. Negotiations intensified and the mood changed. Gone are the days of diplomats telling you that “nothing” is really happening and that negotiations are getting nowhere.
Sunak determined to get the Northern Ireland deal done
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told reporters earlier Saturday that a deal was possible but not guaranteed in the coming days
Politicians warn that “the devil is in the details“. Here are the main issues to watch for as more information comes out on the matter.
- The role of the European Court. As it stands, Northern Ireland follows some EU trade rules despite the fact that the UK has left the EU. At first the British government demanded removal of supervision by the European Court of Justicebut the EU opposed
- The word of Stormont. Northern Ireland cannot formally influence EU rules as it is not a member. This follows despite continuing to comply with some EU laws to ensure seamless trade with the Republic of Ireland. Politicians and businesses in Northern Ireland largely believe that regional authority should be given a more significant role to tackle the “democracy deficit”
- How green is the green bar? The UK and EU agree that British goods that remain in Northern Ireland should be subject to fewer checks and controls than products that will be transported across the border into the Republic of Ireland. Trusted traders will be allowed into the so-called green belt – but the details remain to be seen, including the issue who qualifies as a trusted merchant.
- Tax matters. Businesses in Northern Ireland follow EU rules on VAT and state aid. Sky News reports that the deal will include restoring the UK’s powers to collect VAT in Northern Ireland.
The EU reports progress, but also difficulties in the negotiations with London on Northern Ireland
It is important for Brussels to restore trust with Britain
