France and Ireland See Opportunity for Northern Ireland Solution Situation Escalates – China’s Covid Policy Boomerang

French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin see a “favorable opportunity” to settle trade disputes with the British government over Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit. Both agreed on the “importance of a new and vibrant partnership” with the United Kingdom, a statement said after Macron and Martin met in Paris on Thursday. There is now an opportunity to resolve issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Northern Ireland is currently in a political deadlock over the protocol negotiated between London and the European Union. With the agreement, Northern Ireland remains part of the European single market, creating a de facto customs border with the island of Great Britain. Northern Ireland’s trade unionists find this unacceptable, fearing Northern Ireland’s joining the United Kingdom.

The border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland must remain open under the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

Martin expressed “thanks to the French President” for his “unwavering solidarity with Ireland during Brexit”. On November 10, Martin met with the new British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who was willing to settle the dispute. (aeg/sda/afp)