NI Protocol: Brussels 'must use common sense', says UK

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NI Protocol: Brussels 'must use common sense', says UK



Brussels must show common sense and 鉊抉葩鉊�鉊菽��鉊丞��鉊�鉆�鉊�鉊﹤腺鉊毯��鉊�鉊丞葡 take a pragmatic approach
to the NI Protocol, the UK government has said.

It said it was disappointed that European Commission President Ursula von der
Leyen was not fully recognising the effects of the protocol.

It is the part of the Brexit deal that puts a trade border in the Irish Sea.

Ms von der Leyen said on Monday that there was no alternative but the
"full and correct implementation" of the protocol.

The UK government said its priority was the Good Friday Agreement,
while the European Union was focussed on the single market.

Technical talks to simplify the operation of the protocol are ongoing.

The protocol keeps Northern Ireland in the EU single market for goods and means
EU customs rules are enforced at its ports - but it is strongly opposed to the protocol
among unionists, who see it as separating Northern Ireland from the UK.

It was agreed by the United Kingdom and European Union in October 2019 and
was subject to further negotiation and agreement in 2020.

However, in recent weeks the UK government's rhetoric against the protocol has
hardened.

Earlier this month the UK's Brexit minister said it was hard to see how the current
operation of the protocol was sustainable.