RTRS-UK Wants Progress In NIP Talks In 10 Days To Show Unionists Advances

Reuters reporting that according to a UK gov't source, the Johnson gov't wants to see progress in talks on the Northern Ireland protocol in the next 10 days in order to demonstrate to unionists in Northern Ireland that advances are being made in the right direction.

• Reuters' unnamed source said: "If we can make a good step forward... to show there is a process that's moving in the right direction, that would clearly be a positive thing. We're not necessarily expecting to resolve everything in the next 10 days, obviously. This is probably going to be more of a process but that process needs to show unionism that it's significant and actually moving in the right direction to resolve outstanding issues."
• The desire for progress in UK gov't comes in stark contrast to expectations in Brussels that things will slow down in terms of NI protocol talks as the elections approach. Speaking to MNI, an unnamed EU official stated that “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,”
• For the full MNI story follow this link:'MNI: EU, UK Hope For Low Profile In Northern Ireland Campaign'.
• Northern Ireland executive collapse last week following resignation of First Minister Paul Givan. Givan, from the Democratic Unionist Party, stated his resignation came in opposition to the continued use of the protocol.
• The Irish republican Sinn Fein remain on course to become the largest party following the 5 May election, and as such would be in prime position to hold the first minister's office. This would be an historic situation, with Sinn Fein having previously existed as the political wing of the IRA, now potentially on course to lead the Northern Ireland executive.