MNI: EU, UK Hope For Low Profile In Northern Ireland Campaign

Hopes are fading that the EU and the UK will resolve difficulties around the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol before the start of election campaigning in the province, with negotiators aiming to keep a low profile in the run-up to the May 5 vote, EU officials told MNI.

The best chance would be a political holding statement for the duration of the March-April campaign, while technical-level talks quietly continue between the EU and UK sides, the officials said.

“Ideally, it would be great to be able to agree something jointly – say we agree principles for agreement on customs, but further work is required – that could be a flavour of the kind of agreement,” the source said.

Both the EU and UK agree on the need to keep the talks out of the election process, though there will be no official radio silence, discretion.

“Both sides agree, let’s not be talking too loudly during those two months (of the Northern Ireland election campaign and voting) because that’s not helpful to anybody,” one EU official said.

“Could something continue at technical level quietly – yes, maybe.”

STICKING POINTS

Customs and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues are the ‘nitty gritty’ of negotiations aimed at easing the enforcement of the protocol, the official said.

“Where are the sticking points? Well, between customs and SPS, customs is probably progressing quicker - is easier to sort that out. SPS is still very difficult because there are a lot of conditions attached ultimately to ensure protection of the Single Market and UK is very much against the idea of following EU rules, even though that would sort out a lot of issues in Northern Ireland,” the official said.

“Would I say everything will be sorted by end of the month? No, I don’t think so. Will we be able to sort something and sketch out a process for coming months? Maybe.”

A meeting of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, expected to take place around Feb. 21 is expected to provide a useful stocktaking opportunity in the talks.

MNI understands that there has been little discussion of the role of the European Court of Justice in enforcing the Protocol, with EU officials continuing to stress that they would not entertain any concessions on this point.

“I think this is something that could be sorted in the long run,” the official said.