London and Brussels reach agreement on Northern Ireland

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hold a news conference at Windsor Guildhall, west London February 27, 2023. REUTERS - POOL

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The British government and the European Union reached a compromise on post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland on Monday (February 27th), hoping to open "a new chapter" after months of tumultuous relations and political deadlock in the British province. 

Advertisement

Read more

 After months of tension and difficult negotiations, the two leaders announced the compromise at a press conference in Windsor, on the western outskirts of London.

“A breakthrough”

“ 

The UK and the EU may have had differences in the past, but we are allies, trading partners and friends and we saw that clearly last year when we united with others to support Ukraine 

,” said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

" 

This is the start of a new chapter in our relations

", he continued, welcoming " 

a decisive step forward

".

I am happy to report that we have made a breakthrough.

Together we modified the original protocol.

Today's agreement keeps trade flowing smoothly across the UK, protects Northern Ireland's place in our Union and preserves the sovereignty of the people of Northern Ireland.

These negotiations have not always been easy.

The UK and the EU may have had differences in the past, but we are allies, trading partners and friends and we saw that clearly last year when we united with d other countries to support Ukraine.

This is the start of a new chapter in our relationship.

I am here today 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

RFI

"A New Chapter"

“ 

I think what we have agreed on today is historic

,” added European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also referring to “a new chapter”.

Today we agreed on the principles of a Windsor Framework Agreement.

This agreement includes new provisions on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It will allow us to open a new chapter.

This agreement provides lasting solutions that we are both confident will work for all people and businesses in Northern Ireland.

Solutions that directly address the concerns they raised.

The new provisions offer a complete package so that we can definitively respond to the problems encountered in daily life.

The Windsor Framework Agreement respects and protects our respective markets and our respective legitimate interests, and most importantly, it protects the hard-won peace through 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

RFI

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

  • United Kingdom

  • European Union

  • Rishi Sunak

  • Ursula von der Leyen

  • Brexit

  • North Ireland