Covid-19. European quack around Ireland and vaccines

“The European Union has once again shown that it is ready to use Northern Ireland when it is in its best interests, and in the most despicable way possible: by using the supply of a vaccine meant to save people. lives ”, rebelled Arlene Foster, head of the Northern Irish government, Friday, January 29.

Earlier, the European Medicines Agency authorized the use of vaccine AstraZeneca Oxford, produced by the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical group. But the Twenty-Seven have implemented controls on their vaccine exports to third countries, in order to prevent the release of doses intended for Europeans. AstraZeneca, which must provide 400 million doses, is experiencing delivery delays.

Problem: Europe has included Northern Ireland, which occupies a special position in the European Union. The British province has left it, but the Northern Irish Protocol, signed in the framework of Brexit, allows it to stay in the single market. Goods move freely between the European Union and Northern Ireland, in order to comply with the Good Friday Agreements. This text, signed in 1998, prohibits the reestablishment of a physical border on the Emerald Isle and is the safeguard of peace in Northern Ireland.

Caillou in the Brexit shoe

But Brussels tried on Friday January 29 to use Article 16 of the Northern Irish Protocol, which makes it possible to override certain Brexit provisions, in order to include Northern Ireland on the contrary in the list of third countries. Member countries, fearing the region will become an alternative vaccine gateway to Britain, have proposed border checks.

Faced with outraged reactions from Dublin, Belfast and London, Europe has made a 180 degree turn.

Caillou in the shoe of the pro-Brexit, Northern Ireland has given a hard time to more than one politician since 2016. All have used it in the negotiations, and even Joe Biden has defended it.

This quack could only be the first in a long series. Because, and this is all the irony, the Northern Irish Unionist parties are calling for the use by London of Article 16 to remedy the transport difficulties between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Delivery times have emptied the shops province, and several suppliers have suspended their exports. The province escaped him narrowly… For this time.

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