‘Potential to generate momentum in NI talks’
THERE is the potential to “generate momentum” in talks with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol, UK Brexit negotiator Lord David Frost has said.
It follows a meeting in Brussels with European Commission vicepresident Maros Sefcovic yesterday.
Lord Frost said the UK wants to “secure a solution based on consensus”, after his Cabinet colleague Michael Gove earlier appeared to row back on the threat to trigger Article 16.
Negotiations appear to be gathering pace, with Mr Sefcovic welcoming the “change in tone” from the UK and calling for “joint tangible solutions” to be found within the framework of the protocol.
Lord Frost described talks as “intensive and constructive”, adding: “There is the potential to generate some momentum in our discussions.”
But he warned “significant gaps remain across most issues”, and said a “significant change from the current situation” is required.
He said the option of triggering Article 16, which would suspend elements of the post-Brexit arrangements, remains if a solution cannot be found.
“On medicines, there has been progress but agreement has not been reached,” he said. “Any acceptable solution needs to ensure that medicines are available at the same time and on the same basis across the whole of the UK. We have not yet made substantive progress on the fundamental customs and SPS issues relating to goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
“A durable solution here requires goods to be able to move essentially freely into Northern Ireland when both sides agree that they are remaining in Northern Ireland.”
Mr Sefcovic said it is time to switch to “a result-oriented mode” and to “deliver on the issues” raised by stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
“It is essential that the recent change in tone now leads to joint tangible solutions in the framework of the protocol,” he said.
He added there is a “genuine urgency” to resolve the issues of medicines flowing from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.
“We now need to press on and get this crucial issue across the line,” he said. “This is a real test of political goodwill. The EU, for its part, is confident that our proposed solution, addressing all concerns raised by industry, would bring much-needed clarity and foster a positive political momentum. On customs, there has been initial useful engagement at technical level. These discussions, which aim to significantly reduce, not to eliminate, customs processes, should be pursued.”
But he called for more movement from the UK on the issue of sanitary and physiosanitary checks.
Mr Sefcovic said: “The EU-proposed solution would lead to a very significant simplification of certification and a reduction in checks. Identity and physical checks would be reduced by around 80% compared to the checks currently required.”
Earlier, Mr Gove expressed confidence that talks can progress without the need for the UK to trigger Article 16.
Speaking at the British-Irish Council summit in Cardiff, Mr Gove said: “I do believe that there is a constructive approach that’s being taken by the Commission and Lord Frost has signalled that while, of course, it’s always possible that Article 16 may require to be invoked, we’re confident that we’ll be able to make progress without it.”
But he declined to rule out the option completely.
“I hope that we won’t need to trigger Article 16, for reasons that will be well understood, but we reserve the right to do so if we believe that changes which are required on the ground in Northern Ireland have not been made,” he said.
Irish premier Micheal Martin said he believes there is “a genuine desire” on all sides to resolve the protocol dispute without the use of Article 16.
He told the summit: “I believe that in the discussions I’ve had now over the last while, that there is a genuine desire on all sides to get this resolved through negotiation, and through the avoidance of triggering any particular mechanisms within the Withdrawal Agreement.”
Prior to the latest talks with Lord Frost, Mr Sefcovic said new measures on the protocol will create an “express line” on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, resulting in a “win-win situation” for all.
He said the bloc will offer to permanently slash customs paperwork by 50%, along with the removal of up to 80% of checks.
Mr Sefcovic was speaking at the Brexit Institute at Dublin City University yesterday, immediately before the crunch talks with his counterpart.
He welcomed the recent “change in tone” in talks.
Mr Sefcovic said the “comprehensive long-term solution” that would see “further facilitation and simplification” of customs checks will result in a “50% permanent reduction in existing paperwork”.