'Very Constructive' Brexit Talks With UK On N.Ireland: EU
Faizan Hashmi Published February 01, 2023 | 07:54 PM
The EU is having "very constructive talks" with Britain on post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, but no deal has yet been reached, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday
Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Feb, 2023 ) :The EU is having "very constructive talks" with Britain on post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, but no deal has yet been reached, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday.
"You know the principle: that everything is only negotiated at the very end when you know what the result is and you give a final signature," she told a news conference following UK press reports that a deal was all but agreed.
She said she had an "excellent relationship" with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who took office in October, adding that "our teams are working together to find solutions" on the issue.
Britain on Tuesday marked the third anniversary of its exit from the European Union.
As part of its Brexit divorce, London agreed that EU rules would continue to apply to the movement of goods into and out of the UK territory of Northern Ireland, effectively putting it in the European Union's single market in that regard.
That is to preserve peace there in line with the 1998 Belfast Agreement, which includes ensuring uninterrupted economic integration between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
But London has since reopened negotiations with Brussels on the arrangement, arguing it undermined goods movement within the UK and the role of loyalist politicians in Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
Both sides have been holding talks at a technical level for months.
In recent weeks they have taken on an increasingly political tone, with meetings between senior officials from both sides, spurring speculation that differences were narrowing.
Von der Leyen refused to say how close the positions were.
"I cannot give partial elements because you never know until the very end how the package looks like, but as I said, these are very constructive talks," she said.
Britain is demanding a lighter touch from the EU on checks of goods entering Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom.
It also wants the role of the EU's European Court of Justice (ECJ) overseeing the application of EU rules in Northern Ireland for goods to be removed or watered down.
While Brussels has indicated it could ease up on goods checks as part of a final settlement, it insists the ECJ remain the ultimate arbiter in protecting the EU's single market, which includes overseeing the Northern Ireland arrangement.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
Walker returns to captain Man City for Real Madrid clash
Action taken against price list violations in Khanewal district
DC chairs review meeting of DEG
Turkey accuses Israel's Netanyahu of using war 'to stay in power'
Pakistan ranked 5th most vulnerable country to climate change. Tirmizi
Nadal comeback ends in Barcelona Open second round
More Stories From World
-
Tesla asks shareholders to reapprove huge Musk pay deal
4 minutes ago -
Real Madrid exact revenge on Man City to reach Champions League semis
14 minutes ago -
German far-right firebrand in court for using Nazi slogan
14 minutes ago -
Gauff, Raducanu shine in Stuttgart
34 minutes ago -
Eight reported injured after Japan quake
34 minutes ago -
Error-plagued Gauff wins clay season opener, Raducanu shines
34 minutes ago
-
Tokyo shares open lower after US chip shares fall
34 minutes ago -
Ruling conservatives win most seats in Croatia election, but no majority
34 minutes ago -
US university cancels Muslim student's graduation speech after pro-Israel groups object, CAIR protes ..
1 hour ago -
EU weighs response to Russian 'interference' in election runup
7 hours ago -
Going 'backwards'? Whistleblowers slam Boeing safety culture
7 hours ago -
US to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela: officials
7 hours ago