BELFAST The dispute over the “Northern Ireland Protocol” negotiated with Britain’s departure from the EU has been paralyzing the formation of a regional government in Belfast for months. The predominantly Protestant Unionists see the Brexit agreements as a threat to their ties to the kingdom and are blocking a new government. They want drastic changes.
The protocol is intended to prevent border controls with EU member Ireland and thus prevent old conflicts from flaring up again. However, this created trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom because the rules of the EU internal market and the customs union continue to apply there.
Whatever London negotiates with Brussels, the British government must convince the Unionists to give up their blockade. Foreign Minister James Cleverly had an appointment with EU Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Friday, parallel to Sunak’s trip.
