The Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, and the British Minister David Frost have not yet managed to resolve all the questions about the concrete implementation of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.
The two men had dinner together on Thursday 15 April and the “two sides used the occasion to take stock of all outstanding issues regarding the implementation of the Protocol”, says a statement. Both teams have received a political steer to continue discussions at the technical level.
Meanwhile, the infringement proceeding launched against the UK on non-compliance with the protocol (through the unilateral extension of grace periods) or lack of sincere cooperation in the implementation of the withdrawal agreement will continue “as long as necessary”, Šefčovič insisted.
At the meeting, the Vice-President highlighted “the EU’s unwavering commitment to the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement and the people of Northern Ireland”, the fact that “solutions can only be found through joint actions and through joint bodies” and that “mutually agreed paths towards compliance are key for the full implementation of the Protocol”, the statement said.
The Vice-President noted that the Protocol is the only way to protect the Good Friday Agreement while avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland and the implementation of the Protocol is clearly “a joint endeavour, which leaves no space for unilateral action. Only joint solutions, agreed in the joint bodies established by the Withdrawal Agreement, can provide the stability and predictability that is needed in Northern Ireland”. However, the Commission noted a “constructive” climate of discussion.
For his part, David Frost also issued a statement saying that recent meetings had begun to “clarify” things and create “positive momentum”, but that “difficult issues” remained. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)