EU unimpressed with Truss’ threats over Northern Ireland talks
The European Union is “not too impressed” with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’ threat to override parts of the postbrexit agreement on Northern Ireland if negotiations fail.
Joao Vale de Almeida, the bloc’s ambassador to the UK, said it is unhelpful to “keep agitating the issue” of triggering Article 16, ahead of discussions this week.
Ms Truss said she will suggest “constructive proposals” to her European Union counterpart, Maros Sefcovic, during their first face-toface talks, at the Foreign Secretary’s official country residence, Chevening, on Thursday.
But she said she is “willing” to invoke Article 16 – which would suspend parts of the treaty designed to prevent a hard border with the Republic – if a deal cannot be struck.
Mr Vale de Almeida said in a TV interview yesterday: “We’ve heard this before from the government, so we’re not surprised.
“We are not too impressed. We still believe it’s not very helpful that we keep agitating the issue of Article 16.
“I think what we should focus on – at least, that’s where we [ie, the EU] are focused on – is trying to find solutions for difficulties in the implementation of the protocol.”
He called for “new momentum” in the talks, adding: “We are eager to reconnect but we are even more eager to find compromises because we need to move on.”
The Foreign Secretary was handed responsibility for the negotiations after Lord Frost resigned as Brexit minister last month.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Ms Truss said it is her “absolute priority” to resolve the “unintended consequences” created by the protocol to maintain peace in Northern Ireland, saying: “When I see Maros Sefcovic this week for our first face-to-face talks, I’ll be putting forward our constructive proposals to resolve the situation.”
The current issues are “myriad and manifest”, she argued, adding: “I am prepared to work night and day to negotiate a solution. But let me be clear: I will not sign up to anything which sees the people of Northern Ireland unable to benefit from the same decisions on taxation and spending as the rest of the UK, or which still sees goods moving within our own country being subject to checks.”