NewsWorldNew agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union for Northern Ireland

New agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union for Northern Ireland

The understanding that marks an important step in the Brexit negotiation / Photo: File.

The United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) have reached a new understanding on post-Brexit trade agreements for Northern Ireland to facilitate trade between the British territory and Northern Ireland, putting an end to the bitter dispute that began months ago. back with Brussels.

The agreement named as The “Windsor Framework” follows the meeting in Winsord between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who achieved a “decisive breakthrough” in agreeing new trade rules post-Brexit for Northern Ireland.

The new agreement replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol and addresses the problems it has created and provides a new legal and constitutional framework for the UK, following its exit from the European bloc.

In a press conference, Sunak said that in this way any sense of border in the Irish Sea is eliminated, allowing a smoother and less bureaucratic flow of goods from the rest of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland.

It further indicated that this will allow for the wider availability of British products in Northern Ireland, including medicines approved by the UK regulator.

Finally, the agreement safeguards the sovereignty of Northern Ireland, allowing the Northern Ireland Assembly to stop the application of EU property laws in Northern Ireland.

Inflection point

The prime minister described the deal as a “turning point” for Northern Ireland that would end uncertainty.

The British leader confirmed that there will be green lanes traveling normally via a new green lane with no red tape or unnecessary checks for Northern Ireland, with the only remaining checks designed to prevent smuggling or crime.

“We have removed any sense of border in the Irish Sea,” he remarked.

According to Sunak, in the green lane, “heavy customs bureaucracy will be eliminated.”

Von der Leyen for his part described the agreement as a new chapter in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU.

“We can take pride in the fact that we have fulfilled the commitments made during the Brexit negotiations,” he stressed.

For the British leader, it is also about stability in Northern Ireland and showing that the union, which has lasted for centuries, can and will last.

“And it’s about breaking down the barriers between us. Leaving aside the arguments that have divided us for too long. And remembering the feeling of camaraderie that defines us – this family of nations, this United Kingdom,” he stated.

bilateral relationship

The head of the European Commission acknowledged that she and Sunak covered and tried to resolve a wide range of issues during these talks.

He said both are honoring the “important commitment” they made a few months ago and were encouraged by their cooperation in the war in Ukraine.

“I also remember that the two of us were honest with each other about the difficulties in our bilateral relationship and it was vital to put that on the right track as well,” he added.

The understanding, which marks an important step in the Brexit negotiations, sets out a framework for trade agreements between the UK and the EU in relation to Northern Ireland.

It is expected to help reduce the risk of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The Northern Irish protocol, signed in January 2020, is the main topic of controversy between London and Brussels three years after Brexit came into force.

The deal, which keeps Northern Ireland in line with some post-Brexit EU trade rules, which has been a source of tension since it was enacted, allows goods to be transported across the Irish land border without the need for checks.

Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, the DUP, has been out of government since February 2022 in protest of the protocol and refuses to share power again unless the agreement is significantly changed.

The DUP argues that the protocol undermines Northern Ireland’s place within the UK, while nationalists see it as a way of maintaining the border status quo.

Before Brexit it was easy to move goods across this border because both sides followed the same EU rules, but after the UK left the bloc, special trade agreements were needed for this to still happen.

European Union standards

The EU has strict food regulations and requires border controls when certain products, such as milk and eggs, arrive from countries outside the European bloc, which is the current case in the countries that make up Great Britain.

The land border is a sensitive issue due to Northern Ireland’s troubled political history and it was feared that border posts, as part of these checks, could lead to instability.

The deal must now be voted on in Parliament, but it is still unclear whether the DUP will back the deal like the hard-liners on Brexit who threatened to vote against it and urged the protocol devised by the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during his government.

Labor, for their part, pledged to support the government in any agreement it reached with Brussels on the future commercial status of Northern Ireland, as did the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem).

at tea time

Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles III also will meet the president of the European Commission for tea at Windsor Castle.

A spokesman said the monarch “is delighted” to meet any world leader if they visit the UK.

It is estimated that the king and Von der Leyen will discuss topics such as Climate change and the war in Ukraine.

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