Statements
Serious breach of international law: MEPs call on UK not to adopt new bill
Press Release -14 June 2022
The UK Contact Group co-Chairs David McAllister, Bernd Lange and Nathalie Loiseau issued the following statement on Tuesday after a meeting with Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.
"We are deeply concerned with the UK's unilateral action, which constitutes a serious and unacceptable breach of international law. The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill puts into question the credibility of the UK Government to comply with its international obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, damages mutual trust and creates uncertainty for people, investors and business in Northern Ireland. We call upon the UK government and UK Parliament not to adopt the proposed bill and to return to the discussion table to find practical, flexible and durable solutions within the legal framework of the Protocol.
The EU-UK relationship must be based on full respect of our mutually agreed, legally binding commitments. We recall that the conclusion of the Withdrawal Agreement was a pre-condition for the negotiation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland can only be implemented through genuine dialogue.
We support Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, co-Chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Partnership Council, in his approach to secure the implementation of the Protocol by reacting proportionately to the UK Government's unilateral action, while continuing to engage with the people and businesses in Northern Ireland to find practical solutions. The recent legislation on medicines and the package put forward by the Commission in October 2021 show that the Protocol provides for flexibility. We fully support the European Commission's call on the UK government to engage on joint solutions.
The European Parliament's UK Contact Group stresses that:
The UK Contact Group co-Chairs David McAllister, Bernd Lange and Nathalie Loiseau issued the following statement on Tuesday after a meeting with Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.
"We are deeply concerned with the UK's unilateral action, which constitutes a serious and unacceptable breach of international law. The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill puts into question the credibility of the UK Government to comply with its international obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, damages mutual trust and creates uncertainty for people, investors and business in Northern Ireland. We call upon the UK government and UK Parliament not to adopt the proposed bill and to return to the discussion table to find practical, flexible and durable solutions within the legal framework of the Protocol.
The EU-UK relationship must be based on full respect of our mutually agreed, legally binding commitments. We recall that the conclusion of the Withdrawal Agreement was a pre-condition for the negotiation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland can only be implemented through genuine dialogue.
We support Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, co-Chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Partnership Council, in his approach to secure the implementation of the Protocol by reacting proportionately to the UK Government's unilateral action, while continuing to engage with the people and businesses in Northern Ireland to find practical solutions. The recent legislation on medicines and the package put forward by the Commission in October 2021 show that the Protocol provides for flexibility. We fully support the European Commission's call on the UK government to engage on joint solutions.
The European Parliament's UK Contact Group stresses that:
- in order to have a positive and stable relationship, the EU and the UK must comply with the provisions of the two Agreements the parties have negotiated, signed and ratified: the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement;
- a renegotiation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, is not an option; and
- only joint solutions would create the legal certainty that the people and businesses in Northern Ireland deserve."
MEPs condemn the repeated violations of the Northern Ireland Protocol
Press Release - 3 February 2022
Statement by UKCG co-Chairs and other leading MEPs following the unilateral move by Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture
"The unilateral move taken yesterday by Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture creates further uncertainty and unpredictability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland. It is also unhelpful for getting a stable and durable solution to the issues faced by the people of Northern Ireland.
The UK Government should ensure respect for the international obligations into which it has entered. Reneging on the provisions of these agreements undermines the credibility and trustworthiness of our partners.The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland reflects a very delicate and sensitive political balance jointly agreed by the EU and the UK after painstaking negotiations. It is necessary to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and to protect the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement.
Renegotiating the Protocol is not an option. The European Commission has repeatedly shown with concrete proposals that the Protocol is sufficiently flexible to solve the practical challenges experienced by the people and businesses in Northern Ireland. We fully support the European Commission's ongoing discussions with the UK government to find practical, flexible and lasting solutions for the implementation of the protocol.The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed its unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. It fully supports the European Commission's efforts to facilitate its implementation and to preserve the integrity of the Single Market and will keep monitoring the situation closely."
Statement by UKCG co-Chairs and other leading MEPs following the unilateral move by Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture
"The unilateral move taken yesterday by Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture creates further uncertainty and unpredictability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland. It is also unhelpful for getting a stable and durable solution to the issues faced by the people of Northern Ireland.
The UK Government should ensure respect for the international obligations into which it has entered. Reneging on the provisions of these agreements undermines the credibility and trustworthiness of our partners.The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland reflects a very delicate and sensitive political balance jointly agreed by the EU and the UK after painstaking negotiations. It is necessary to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and to protect the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement.
Renegotiating the Protocol is not an option. The European Commission has repeatedly shown with concrete proposals that the Protocol is sufficiently flexible to solve the practical challenges experienced by the people and businesses in Northern Ireland. We fully support the European Commission's ongoing discussions with the UK government to find practical, flexible and lasting solutions for the implementation of the protocol.The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed its unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. It fully supports the European Commission's efforts to facilitate its implementation and to preserve the integrity of the Single Market and will keep monitoring the situation closely."
Brexit: MEPs push back against UK attempts to overhaul the NI Protocol
Press Release - 22 July 2021
Statement by David McAllister and Bernd Lange on the UK government's new 'command paper' titled "Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward".
"This afternoon, the European Parliament's UK Contact Group met to assess the consequences of the UK government's new 'command paper' seeking to renegotiate substantial elements of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. We would like to reiterate our unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Protocol. We also welcome and support European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič' expressed intention to continue engaging with the UK, and his statement that the EU will not agree to a renegotiation of the Protocol.
As underlined in our latest resolution, the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland reflects a very delicate and sensitive political balance jointly agreed to by both the EU and UK after painstaking negotiations. It represents the only solution to address the unique situation and challenges on the island of Ireland caused by the type of Brexit the UK government chose and the UK's decision to leave the EU's Single Market and Customs Union. It protects the Irish peace process and the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in all its dimensions. Instead of putting the Protocol into question, we urge the UK government to show flexibility and pragmatism, as the European Union has done so far, and to continue working with the EU side to find workable and practical solutions for people and businesses on the island of Ireland within the current legal framework.
Over the past years and weeks, the EU has itself worked intensely to find feasible arrangements, including on grace periods and documentation requirements, as well as to minimise inevitable Brexit disruptions, whilst protecting the Single Market. Joint action in the bodies established by the Withdrawal Agreement will be of paramount importance over the coming months. Additionally, it is crucial to continue to engage jointly with business groups, civil society and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
As representatives of the European Parliament, we stand ready to continue exercising our crucial oversight role and to work alongside our British and European partners in securing the best outcome for all parties."
Statement by David McAllister and Bernd Lange on the UK government's new 'command paper' titled "Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward".
"This afternoon, the European Parliament's UK Contact Group met to assess the consequences of the UK government's new 'command paper' seeking to renegotiate substantial elements of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. We would like to reiterate our unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Protocol. We also welcome and support European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič' expressed intention to continue engaging with the UK, and his statement that the EU will not agree to a renegotiation of the Protocol.
As underlined in our latest resolution, the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland reflects a very delicate and sensitive political balance jointly agreed to by both the EU and UK after painstaking negotiations. It represents the only solution to address the unique situation and challenges on the island of Ireland caused by the type of Brexit the UK government chose and the UK's decision to leave the EU's Single Market and Customs Union. It protects the Irish peace process and the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in all its dimensions. Instead of putting the Protocol into question, we urge the UK government to show flexibility and pragmatism, as the European Union has done so far, and to continue working with the EU side to find workable and practical solutions for people and businesses on the island of Ireland within the current legal framework.
Over the past years and weeks, the EU has itself worked intensely to find feasible arrangements, including on grace periods and documentation requirements, as well as to minimise inevitable Brexit disruptions, whilst protecting the Single Market. Joint action in the bodies established by the Withdrawal Agreement will be of paramount importance over the coming months. Additionally, it is crucial to continue to engage jointly with business groups, civil society and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
As representatives of the European Parliament, we stand ready to continue exercising our crucial oversight role and to work alongside our British and European partners in securing the best outcome for all parties."