EU warns UK against ‘unilateral action’ on Northern Ireland trade

EU warns UK against ‘unilateral action’ on Northern Ireland trade

LONDON: The European Union yesterday warned the UK against taking further unilateral action on post-Brexit trade arrangements in Northern Ireland, promising tough measures if it does so. Visiting European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said after talks with his UK counterpart David Frost that the bloc would act "swiftly, firmly and resolutely“ if London broke its promise.

Meanwhile, Britain urged "flexibility“ from Brussels over trading arrangements in Northern Ireland blamed for sparking violence. The EU on Tuesday warned the United Kingdom against further unilateral actions that override the so-called protocol of the divorce agreement covering the province, having already accused London of illegally breaking it.

Brexit minister David Frost co-chaired yesterday's London meeting, which covered issues including fishing, trade facilitation and law enforcement. But the key focus of the Partnership Council and Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, which supervises the operation of the divorce deal at a political level, was Northern Ireland.

"I hope this will be a productive forum where we can address shared challenges by working together in the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation,“ Frost said late Tuesday. "First among these challenges is the damaging impact the Protocol is having on the ground in Northern Ireland,“ he added.

"I look to the EU