European Commission says Northern Ireland Protocol talks with UK government will be solutions driven A poster against the NI Protocol on the gates of Stormont in east Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann. 23 February, 2021 01:00
The European Commission said it will bring a `constructive and `solutions driven attitude to this week s meetings with the British governmentAaron Chown/PA Wire.
THE European Commission has said it is fully committed to the proper implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol but will bring a constructive and solutions-driven attitude to meetings with the British government this week.
Spokesman Dan Ferrie also pledged support for the Good Friday Agreement when asked for its response to legal action supported by the main unionist parties and a number of Westminster politicians against the Protocol.
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The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said there could be freer flowing trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Protocol if the UK agreed to align more closely to EU food safety and animal and plant health standards.
A veterinary agreement between both sides, or some form of equivalence arrangement, could lower trade barriers in areas where the UK is demanding flexibility from the European Commission, such as seed potatoes, seeds, potted plants, and pets, he said.
Speaking following a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels, Mr Coveney said: In some of those cases the UK government has the capacity to facilitate that change if they want to agree to a different approach when it comes to equivalence of standards, for example.
Archibald calls for establishment of an Executive sub committee on economy
02/15/2021 | 01:39pm EDT
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Message : Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has called for the establishment of an Executive sub committee on the economy. And the chair of the Assembly s Economy Committee has urged the Executive to develop an overarching economic strategy to respond to the new trading reality, which builds on our continued access to the EU Single Market. Speaking after submitting a motion to the Assembly the party s economy spokesperson said: Following the end of the Brexit transition period, the north continues to have access to the European Single Market with its 450 million consumers as well as strong east west trading relationships.