MNI BRIEF: UK/EU Reach Agreement On Irish Protocol

In what may be a major breakthrough in a key facet of the Brexit negotiations saga, the joint UK-EU committee on implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement said an in principal agreement has been found on issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, including over border controls, chilled meats and export declarations.

In light of the agreements reached by the UK's Michael Gove and the EU's Maros Stefcovic, the British government "will withdraw clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the UK Internal Market Bill, and not introduce any similar provisions in the Taxation Bill." Although not leading directly to a positive outcome in trade talks between Brussels and London, the agreement will likely help the mood music in negotiations.