{"id":24516,"date":"2021-12-17T11:22:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T16:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24516"},"modified":"2021-12-20T11:25:28","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T16:25:28","slug":"coveney-welcomes-brexit-agreement-on-supply-of-medicines-to-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24516","title":{"rendered":"Coveney Welcomes Brexit Agreement On Supply Of Medicines To The North"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The EU has announced proposed laws to assist the free flow of medicines from Britain into the North (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Simon Coveney has welcomed an agreement between the EU and the UK to secure the supply of medicines into Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EU has announced proposed laws to assist the free flow of medicines from Britain into the North, in a move it said would create momentum to resolve other disputes over Brexit\u2019s Irish Sea border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic announced the legislative proposals in Brussels on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcoming the move, Foreign Minister Mr Coveney said: \u201cAccess to medicines has been at the top of my agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe plan announced today turns commitment into solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy ensuring the continued long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and in addressing other supply issues for Ireland, it provides reassurance to people across the island that they will continue to have access to the medicines they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope that this solution on medicines can act as a catalyst for solving the other protocol issues early in the new year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protocol talks are set to resume in January when efforts will intensify to resolve the areas of dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Coveney said: \u201cI firmly believe the protocol will work, if we allow it, with flexibility and pragmatism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA positive outcome to the current talks remains our key objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI welcome the fact that the EU and the UK have agreed on the importance of continuing talks in the New Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the best way to bring about substantive progress and find durable solutions to the practical problems faced by people and business in Northern Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the announcement, Mr Sefcovic said he hoped there would be a \u201cgear change\u201d in the wider negotiations with the UK on protocol issues next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday is a further demonstration of the EU\u2019s unwavering commitment to stability and predictability for citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland and I urge the UK Government to reciprocate our efforts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe EU and the UK are partners with shared values and shared global challenges so it is time to change gear and bring our partnership to the level on which it belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n

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