18/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – The European Affairs Ministers of the EU have reiterated that the Northern Ireland Protocol remains the “only solution” for resolving the issues associated with trade in goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, according to a summary given by Czech Minister Mikuláš Bek on 18 November. Ministers were briefed on the state of play of discussions with the UK by Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič. On this basis, ministers have welcomed a more positive tone from the British government “after the last few turbulent months”, said Mikuláš Bek, and they hoped for a “return to active bilateral communication”. However, ministers have also warned once more against “unilateral actions” that jeopardise the relationship, such as ongoing debates in the UK Parliament over the bill that call into question the Northern Ireland protocol. (SP)