Europe Editor European Commission vice president Maroš Šefčovič has told political group leaders in the European Parliament that technical discussions with the UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol are progressing and that the UK was engaging on the issues "in good faith". Two sources have also confirmed that Mr Šefčovič's UK opposite number Lord Frost has accepted an invitation to travel to Brussels for dinner with Mr Šefčovič on Thursday evening. It is understood Mr Šefčovič told the European Parliament's Conference of Presidents, made up of the political group leaders, that while technical talks on the protocol were proceeding positively, there were some 27 issues that remain outstanding.