{"id":24034,"date":"2021-11-19T08:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T13:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24034"},"modified":"2021-11-19T09:54:31","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T14:54:31","slug":"neu-proposals-on-brexit-protocol-to-create-express-line-for-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24034","title":{"rendered":"NEU Proposals On Brexit Protocol To Create ‘Express Line’ For Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said the bloc will offer to permanently slash customs paperwork by 50 per cent, along with the removal of up to 80 per cent of checks (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New measures on the Brexit Protocol will create an \u201cexpress line\u201d on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, resulting in a \u201cwin-win situation\u201d for all, the EU\u2019s lead negotiator has said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said the bloc will offer to permanently slash customs paperwork by 50 per cent, along with the removal of up to 80 per cent of checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Sefcovic was speaking at the Brexit Institute at Dublin City University on Friday, immediately before crunch talks with his counterpart UK Lord David Frost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He called on the UK to \u201creciprocate\u201d but welcomed the recent \u201cchange in tone\u201d in talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Sefcovic said the \u201ccomprehensive long-term solution\u201d that would see \u201cfurther facilitation and simplification\u201d of customs checks will result in a \u201c50 per cent permanent reduction in\u00a0 existing paperwork\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cThese measures would create a type of express line, which would substantially facilitate trade between all parties, a win-win situation for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a unique and completely new model for how goods can be moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, one that will strengthen opportunities for people and businesses alike.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cIt will make the application of the protocol more transparent while at the same time respecting the UK\u2019s constitutional order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA website will also be set up to show in a clear and comprehensive way the EU legislation applicable in Northern Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Mr Sefcovic has warned that the post-Brexit trade deal is \u201cintrinsically linked\u201d to settling the withdrawal agreement, which includes the Northern Ireland Protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSettling the divorce has always been and remains a precondition for our future relationship\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was on this basis that we negotiated, concluded and ratified the trade and co-operation agreement on Christmas Eve last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe two agreements are intrinsically linked, one cannot exist without the other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Sefcovic also welcomed a \u201cchange in tone\u201d from the UK government in negotiations on the protocol, but said they now must reciprocate on the measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cRight now we need the UK government to reciprocate the significant move the EU has made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI notice and welcome a recent change in tone from the UK government, and we hope that actions will follow the words.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, he ruled out a renegotiation of the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cOur solutions can become reality if the UK plays its part. That is why we have engaged constructively with the UK in order to agree joint solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut we also make clear, with the full support of the European Parliament and the member states, that we will not renegotiate the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo do so would mean to put at risk the stability in Northern Ireland, and it would be unnecessary because solutions are available within the framework of the protocol.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Sefcovic said Northern Ireland could \u201cbenefit immensely\u201d from having dual access to the EU\u2019s single market and the UK internal market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNorthern Ireland is a unique place to invest and should be a powerful magnet for foreign investment\u201d because of its \u201cunparalleled access to two of the world\u2019s largest markets\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n

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