EU halts legal action against UK over Northern Ireland Protocol breaches

in this file photo dated Wednesday, July 14, 2021, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen puts on her protective facemask after a media conference in Brussels.
in this file photo dated Wednesday, July 14, 2021, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen puts on her protective facemask after a media conference in Brussels. Copyright Valeria Mongelli/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
By Shona Murray
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A Brussels spokesperson has told Euronews: “In order to provide the necessary space to reflect on these issues and find durable solutions to the implementation of the Protocol, we have decided, at this stage, not to move to the next stage of the infringement procedure.”

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The EU has agreed to a standstill in legal action against the UK for breaches to the Northern Ireland protocol, Euronews has learned.

The European Commission initiated infringement proceedings against the UK government last March after it unilaterally extended Grace Periods on goods no longer allowed to be exported to Northern Ireland due to Brexit.

A Brussels spokesperson has told Euronews: “In order to provide the necessary space to reflect on these issues and find durable solutions to the implementation of the Protocol, we have decided, at this stage, not to move to the next stage of the infringement procedure.”

The next step in the legal proceedings has been halted in an effort to quell tensions that have been rising between Brussels and London ever since the Northern Ireland protocol came into force at the start of the year.

Britain’s Brexit minister David Frost last week demanded a total overhaul of the Northern Ireland protocol despite the fact that he was the lead negotiator in charge of assembling it along with his EU counterparts.

'Standstill period'

He called for “significant” changes including a “standstill period” to continue current grace periods due to expire in September after the EU announced it would extend them beyond the original June deadline. He also called for a freeze on legal action by the Commission.

"With regards to a request for a standstill, the Commission will carefully assess the new proposals made by the UK, in accordance with the necessary consultation procedures, both internally, and with the European Parliament”, the Commission has said.

The EU has also reiterated its position that the Northern Ireland Protocol is not up for renegotiation. “While the EU will not renegotiate the Protocol, we stand ready to address all the issues arising in its practical implementation, in a spirit of good faith and cooperation.”

'Constructive reply'

“We have received a constructive reply from the Commission in response to our request for a standstill on existing arrangements," a UK government spokesperson said in a statement. 

“We look forward to engaging in talks with the EU in the weeks ahead to progress the proposals in our command paper."

“As we set out in the Command Paper last week, significant changes are needed to ensure the Protocol is sustainable for future,” the spokesperson added. 

Grace periods on chilled meats and other items are due to expire again at the end of September so both sides have a small amount of time to work out deeply fundamental, and apparently insurmountable problems. Patience and trust are in short supply in Brussels.

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