Nordic-style border won’t work, warns visiting Swedish minister

THE Irish Border question will not be solved by replicating the situation between Sweden and Norway, the Swedish Trade Minister has warned. Ann Linde visited the Border region with Business Minister Heather Humphreys yesterday, concluding that a Nordic option being pushed by some Brexiteers is not workable.

Ms Linde told the Irish Independent: “Norway is obviously outside the customs union, and we work very hard to ensure that delays and checks are kept to a minimum.

“However, at major crossings we do have border infrastructure, unlike the Border in Ireland.

“The UK has committed to ensuring that there is no hard Border on the island of Ireland and that is a commitment that Sweden and the EU27 take very seriously.”

Ms Humphreys said it was important people understand the Border is about daily lives and peace as well as trade.

Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Anne Linde with Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys at the border at Moybridge between Co Monaghan and Co Tyrone. Photo: Rory Geary