PM Truss Holds Talks w/European Leaders As NI Protocol Mood Improves

Prime Minister Liz Truss has engaged in a day of numerous bilateral meetings while attending the first summit of the European Political Community in Prague, Czechia. Truss has met with or is set to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch PM Mark Rutte, and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

• Hans von der Burchard at Politico: "Olaf Scholz and Liz Truss had “a very friendly and nice meeting” ...a German official said. “Topics included a closer connection of the energy supply of both countries, Plans for investment in offshore wind facilities are also to be coordinated between the two countries. Scholz and Truss “also exchanged views on economic cooperation.”
• Sophie Pedder at The Economist: "We may also see Macron and Truss announce today plans for a UK-France bilateral summit in 2023. This is long overdue, and would mark the welcome start of some form of normalisation of Franco-British relations. The last one was held in Sandhurst in 2018...when the UK PM was Theresa May"
• The bilaterals come following positive comments from UK, EU, and European officials and politicians about the prospect of a deal being reached on the Northern Ireland protocol, a major post-Brexit bone of contention.