Still ‘significant gaps’ in dispute over Brexit deal
LORD Frost is to hold intensive talks with EU chiefs next week to try to bridge “significant gaps” in the row over the Brexit withdrawal deal.
The Brexit Minister had a face-toface meeting with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in London yesterday in another bid to resolve the dispute over customs checks in Northern Ireland.
Following their talks, both sides said the atmosphere in the negotiations had improved following some badtempered exchanges earlier this week.
Mr Sefcovic hailed a “change in tone” from the UK team after Lord Frost sought to ease EU fears that Boris Johnson was on the brink of unilaterally pulling out of the checks.
But officials in both camps admitted the dispute over a string of issues including paperwork for hauliers, medicine regulations and the right of Northern Ireland citizens to take their pets on holiday in other parts of the UK remain unresolved. A Government spokesman said: “Lord Frost noted there remained significant gaps to be bridged between the UK and EU positions.”
The peer told his EU counterpart that the UK wanted a “consensual way forward” while pointing out that suspending checks by triggering the Article 16 clause of the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit deal was a “legitimate” course of action.
The spokesman added: “Lord Frost also underlined the need to address the full range of issues the UK had identified in the course of discussions, if a comprehensive and durable solution was to be found that supported the Good Friday Agreement and was in the best interests of Northern Ireland.
“In this context, although talks had so far been conducted in a constructive spirit, Lord Frost underlined that in order to make progress, it was important to bring new energy and impetus to discussions.
“Accordingly, intensified talks will take place between teams in Brussels next week on all issues, giving particular attention to medicines and customs issues. Lord Frost and the vice president will meet at the end of the week to consider progress.”
Sources close to the negotiations said EU officials had “got into a flap” about the UK threat to trigger Article 16 until Lord Frost calmed the situation yesterday.
Mr Sefcovic said following yesterday’s talks: “I acknowledge and welcome the change in tone of discussion with David Frost today, and I hope this will lead to tangible results for the people in Northern Ireland.”