Frost To Meet Sefcovic Today In Effort To Solve Irish Sea Border Issues

UK Cabinet Office minister Lord Frost is expected in Brussels today to meet with European Commission VP Maros Sefcovic to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol in relation to the Irish Sea customs border.

• There was a small sign of conciliation yesterday when the UK gov't stated the EU had granted Westminster another month (until mid-May) to respond to the legal action launched by the EU in response to the UK's alleged breach of the NI protocol. This is in relation to the UK's unilateral extension of grace periods on certain food products being transported from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, avoiding customs checks when the EU argues the checks should be implemented by now.
• Despite this, there is little expectation that any significant progress will be made at today's talks.
• Indeed, some observers have raised the thought that by sending Lord Frost rather than Cabinet Office Secretary Michael Gove, the UK gov't is not actively working towards a deal or compromise. Gove is seen to have a cordial and close working relationship with Sefcovic, whereas Lord Frost - who led UK negotiators in talks with the EU team under Michel Barnier for the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement - is seen to have a colder relationship with Brussels officials and is a more hardline figure in opposing any UK concessions.