UK PM Sunak proposes to resolve Northern Ireland-EU trade dispute

February 17 (United Press International) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in Northern Ireland on Friday for talks with political leaders to resolve an impasse over trade arrangements with the European Union that has effectively left the country without a government for the past two years.

Sunak is also due to fly to munich Meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the weekend on the sidelines of an international security conference, while Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is in Brussels for talks with European Commission Vice-President Malos Sefkovic.

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The talks, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity, have raised hopes of a compromise deal with the EU on the so-called Northern Ireland deal, which is embraced by pro-British parties in the province.

The deal aims to avoid a hard land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EU, and instead move the border with the EU to the middle of the Irish Sea – preventing the free flow of goods from other parts of the UK.

The Democratic Unionist Party, the second largest party in Northern Ireland, refuses to take part in a power-sharing government with Northern Ireland feels goodthe largest political party since 2021, to protest a deal they say will treat Northern Ireland differently than the rest of the UK.

“While negotiations with the EU are ongoing, ministers continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that any solutions address real issues on the ground, meet our overall objectives and safeguard Northern Ireland’s position in the UK internal market, “Downing Street spokesman said.

The spokesman said the prime minister and Northern Ireland secretary of state were also traveling to take part in discussions with the political parties.

A Policy documents The UK government proposed in July a check-free “green” lane for goods bound for Northern Ireland and a “red” lane for goods passing through the province to the Republic of Ireland.

The DUP remains highly skeptical of such a deal.

“The fundamental issue to be addressed is the democratic deficit and the constitutional damage caused by the implementation of EU law,” East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said. said in a tweet“If this issue is not resolved, then any proposed transaction is worthless.”

But the KMT welcomed the prospect of a deal.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: “This is an opportunity to say yes to a deal, to a return to decentralization, to a return to work” Tweet before the meeting with Sunak. “This is what people need and deserve.”