Are we headed for a new clash between London and Brussels? The Northern Irish Protocol, this crucial part of the Brexit deal that establishes a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, is at risk again and again. However, the Johnson government accepted it at the end of 2019, but has been trying to renegotiate it since 2021, and is now threatening to abandon parts of it – in breach of its international obligations, warning Brussels.

On Thursday, May 12, British Foreign Minister Liz Truss assured the United Kingdom that she would meet, following a telephone conversation with Maroz Cefcović, the Commission Vice-President in charge of Brexit. “to act forcefully” If the European Union (EU) continues to show itself “unyielding” In Northern Irish Protocol. The British government has signaled in the past few days that it is ready to introduce a bill to the House of Commons as early as next week to unilaterally lift customs controls imposed on all goods in the Irish Sea. Intended for sale in Northern Ireland (and not for travel to EU member Republic of Ireland).

Accordingly the timesBritish Attorney General Zulla Braverman even passed a legal opinion to Downing Street, according to which London’s repeal of part of the Protocol would be legal because the EU would be its application. “Proportionate”. “Instructions from Brussels [pour aménager le protocole] Don’t go far enough, sometimes take a step back. We haven’t made a final decision yet, but the situation is very serious. A Downing Street spokesman warned on Thursday.

Maroz Cefkovic issued a warning to Brussels on Thursday “Protocol will not be renegotiated” And that there will be no unilateral decision by London to withdraw “Unacceptable”. He lamented that London had failed to show up so far “Political Will” Required for this customs arrangement to work, includes “Honesty” Johnson’s government.

By October 2021, the Commission has proposed an 80% reduction in sanitary and phytosanitary controls and a 50% reduction in customs formalities for British food, plant and animal products entering Northern Ireland. “Expressway” For these products. It also changed the rules to ensure the long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. “We are heading towards a crisisRenew MEP Nathalie Loiseau says. The British want us to cancel the consequences of Brexit and that is not possible. »

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