The European Union and the United Kingdom are once again trying to resolve the unrest over the Northern Irish border. They are going around the table to alleviate the consequences of Brexit for, for example, the customer of the Northern Irish supermarket as much as possible.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but is still part of the EU market. In this way, the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland remains invisible. That is a cornerstone of peace on the island and is therefore sacred. However, for example, meat transported from England to Northern Ireland requires all kinds of checks and papers. To the great displeasure of some Northern Irish, who even intimidated inspectors earlier this month.
The UK government wants the EU to remain lenient with control and inspection requirements longer, preferably until 2023. Michael Gove will discuss this with responsible European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič on Wednesday. On Tuesday, he made it clear that Brussels is attaching conditions to this. The British should at least explain how they want to use “all the flexibility and grace periods” of the EU, he said. It would also help if, for example, the EU could look into the computers of British customs.
