June 16, 2021
2 mins read

Lord Frost admits NI talks failing to make progress

According to Frost, who was the UK chief negotiator of the post-Brexit trade deal, the main difficulty is the way that the protocol is being operated, “which is not in our view consistent with the intentions of us as negotiators.”…reports Asian Lite News.

UK Brexit minister David Frost said on Wednesday that current talks with the European Union over the implementation of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol are making little progress, so London is keeping “all options on the table.”

“It’s just that we are not making much progress despite all the ideas that we have put in,” Frost told a parliamentary committee quizzing him about the fresh row between London and Brussels.

As part of the Brexit agreement, Northern Ireland remained in the European single market and customs unions after the United Kingdom left the bloc for good on December 31, 2020.

Although there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, all goods and animal-based products coming from the rest of the UK territories must be checked upon arrival to Northern Ireland to comply with the EU sanitary regulations, leading to delays in the arrival of products and protests from unionist loyal to London.

According to Frost, who was the UK chief negotiator of the post-Brexit trade deal, the main difficulty is the way that the protocol is being operated, “which is not in our view consistent with the intentions of us as negotiators.”

Asked if the government is considering to unilaterally scrap the agreement, he said that “all options are on the table,” but they would rather prefer to find a negotiated way forward whenever possible.

“The Prime Minister [Boris Johnson] has been very clear that all options are on the table. He has said several times we will do whatever is necessary, and that is the view that is held across Government because we are extremely concerned about the situation,” the minister stressed.

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2020 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in London, Britain, Jan. 8, 2020. The European Union is ready to develop a new partnership unprecedented in scope with Britain, but it can never be the same as before after Brexit, visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said here Wednesday. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua/IANS)

The UK government is trying to push back the full implementation of checks on supermarket goods and parcels to prevent shortage of chilled meat products in the UK province due to delays caused by the customs checks and paperwork, but the EU claimed such move would undermine the protocol, and has threatened London with legal action.

The fresh row over the flow of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland dominated Johnson’s talks with EU leaders attending the last weekend’s Group of Seven summit in Cornwall, with the UK prime minister vowing to do “whatever it takes” to protect both the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the UK. (ANI/Sputnik)

ALSO READ-UK, Ireland agree to maintain smooth post-Brexit trade

READ MORE-BREXIT: France warns of retaliation

Previous Story

EU, US vow cooperation in approach against China

Next Story

J&K allocates Rs 12,600 cr for district development

Latest from -Top News

Trump tariffs send world markets into panic

US benchmark crude oil shed $2.70 to $64.25 a barrel after major oil producers announced they plan to increase production. Brent crude, the international standard, was down $2.63 at $67.51 a barrel

EU prepares retaliation for Trump’s tariffs

The European Commission is assembling a fresh round of counter-tariffs aimed at US goods, adding to two existing lists of potential targets—one of which includes products that were hit by suspended tariffs

US, EU slam China’s war games near Taiwan

US President Donald Trump underscored the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, advocating for a diplomatic approach to cross-strait tensions while warning against the use of force The United States

£13.9 billion of R&D fund to boost innovation, jobs

Funding outlined to support transformational R&D in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond More UK innovators like those developing treatment-transforming dementia tests or building world-leading testing facilities to power

OPEC+ accelerates oil output hikes

Despite the production boost, the group emphasised that future adjustments remain flexible and could be paused or reversed depending on market conditions. Eight OPEC+ nations have unexpectedly decided to accelerate their oil
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Reevs’ medicine for NHS

The £1.57bn funding is part of the government’s overall pledge

Harrods in talks with 250 over Fayed’s misconduct compensation

The department store in Knightsbridge, west London, said it had