The first meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly created by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the two parties, held in Brussels on 12-13 May, opened in a particularly tense context, as Boris Johnson’s government signalled its intention to dismantle the basis of the Northern Ireland Protocol in the near future.
Chaired by Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France) and British Conservative MP Sir Oliver Heald, the meeting allowed for the relaunch of “a necessary dialogue” to maintain constructive relations between the two partners who can, as the war in Ukraine shows, “work together on the basis of common values”, the Frenchwoman said at a press briefing.
For her British counterpart, this first edition of the EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly is also an opportunity to discuss deeper cooperation between the two blocs and to go “further”, notably in areas such as “cooperation in energy or citizens’ rights”.
But the two officials could not avoid the high tension between the European Commission and Boris Johnson’s government, as the latter may announce measures next week to challenge the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is accused of hampering trade between the British province and the rest of the country.
“Unilateral legislation is not what I would like to see”, reacted Oliver Heald, hoping that an agreement could be reached.
The situation could be ”explosive” because of the protocol, he noted, especially with the cost of living issue. The EU can also “make a difference by being flexible, positive; everyone has to step forward”.
“In view of the external threats, it is more important than ever that our partners respect international law; this is not the time to create crises or artificial divisions”, commented Nathalie Loiseau.
Threats and warnings
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič met with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the morning of 12 May. “The fact that the UK government intends to go down the road of unilateral action remains of great concern”, he summarised in a statement.
The European Commission has “made it clear that our proposals (presented in October - see EUROPE 12811/14) still have potential to be explored. We are still waiting for a response from the British side”.
Liz Truss argued that “the protocol has become the main obstacle to the formation of a Northern Ireland Executive”, with the unionist DUP refusing to govern with Sinn Fein, the winner of the 5 May elections, without progress on the consequences of Brexit.
“The Commission needs to be more pragmatic”, and its proposals “would set us back, creating more controls and paperwork”, she said.
If the EU does not show the required flexibility, “then, as a responsible government, we would have no choice but to act”. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)