The arrival of Liz Truss, who replaced David Frost as British Foreign Secretary and head of post-Brexit negotiations, at the end of last year has sparked renewed hope for a quick path forward in Europe. The aim was to secure a workable agreement with London on border controls and the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Six months later, tensions remain high. London warns of potential unilateral moves if Brussels does not bend, while Brussels insists unilateral action would be unacceptable and would jeopardize trust between the two sides and the broader goal of protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions. It would also undermine legal certainty for Northern Irish citizens and businesses and threaten Northern Ireland’s access to the EU single market for goods, according to Maros Sefcovic, vice-president of the European Commission and in charge of talks with the UK, who issued a warning about the consequences of unilateral steps.
Avoid a hard border
His statements reveal a clear message. He met this Thursday with the British minister who argued that London would have no choice but to act unilaterally and bypass parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol if the European Union did not show flexibility in its application. The protocol, which entered into force on January 1, 2021, is a core element of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Its purpose is to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland, which requires careful management of customs and sanitary checks for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, aligning them with the EU internal market where applicable, a point emphasized by Brussels. The text remains under negotiation a year and a half after its theoretical start, with London’s threats shaping the discussion and even influencing political dynamics in Northern Ireland, according to observers.
Truss argued that the Northern Ireland protocol has become the main obstacle to governing in Northern Ireland, stating that the current situation causes unacceptable disruption to trade and creates a two-tier system for Northern Irish citizens. She stressed the importance of defending the Good Friday Agreement and urged all sides to act with flexibility to remove trade barriers. Her comments reflect a wider call for a balanced approach that preserves the integrity of the UK while maintaining stable relations with the EU, as reported in various briefings from late 2023 and early 2024.
Brussels proposals
EU negotiators replied that Brussels has put forward proposals aimed at significantly improving the situation. In February, they outlined an ambitious program of discussions with the UK Government to address practical issues raised by citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland. The EU has made clear that there is still room for productive dialogue and solutions, provided both sides avoid unilateral moves. The EU has indicated it is waiting for a constructive response from the British side to move the talks forward, based on official statements from Brussels. The message from the bloc is that constructive engagement, not unilateral action, is essential for stability and access to markets.
The European authorities emphasize that any unilateral action would undermine the conditions necessary for Northern Ireland to remain aligned with the EU single market for goods. They reiterate a preference for collaborative solutions that preserve openness and trust between the UK and the EU, while protecting the integrity of the peace process. During parliamentary discussions in Brussels, leaders underscored the need to maintain unity and avoid creating new divisions or artificial crises. The tone stressed the importance of reliability and shared purpose in sustaining the peace framework and economic links across the island of Ireland.