Amendments to the Northern Ireland protocol to be discussed with EU representatives in London

The British government noted that despite constructive negotiations, significant differences still remain between the parties.

“The answer to the question whether we will be able to achieve momentum soon will help us determine whether we can reduce the existing differences or whether we will need to use Article 16 in order to preserve the Belfast Agreement,” France 24 quotes a statement from the authorities.

According to this document, London and Brussels can unilaterally take measures to avoid serious negative consequences for the economy, society or the environment in Ulster.

Officially, Northern Ireland remained an EU customs area.

This status is recorded in the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol.

The document was signed in 2020 as part of a general deal between the UK and Brussels. 

However, in April, the United Kingdom authorities unilaterally changed the terms of the protocol, extending the grace period for the supply of some grocery goods to Northern Ireland from other parts of Britain.