Sefcovic: No Renegotiation of NI Protocol

European Commission VP Maros Sefcovic speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin on the NI protocol and ongoing issues with the EU-UK relationship. In keeping with previous Commission statements, says that there will be no renegotiation of the NI protocol.

• Sefcovic: "Without any shadow of a doubt, reaching consensus on Northern Ireland was the most challenging part of those negotiations...This solution was shaped, agreed by both sides, we therefore share responsibility for making it work on the ground...The protocol is not the problem - on the contrary it is the only solution we have...Simply opposing the protocol without providing real solutions won't make the problems go away either.
• Sefcovic argues that the NI protocol has 'enourmous benefits to offer' as it provides 'unparalleled access' to two huge markets, stating that "You can have jam on both sides of your bread".
• Earlier this week Lord Frost, the UK's point man on EU-UK talks, stated that without a revision to the protocol the UK may be forced to invoke Article 16 of said protocol in order to protect NI-GB trade. Sefcovic says that the UK threat is an 'unhelpful distraction' that 'will not help us find solutions any quicker'.
• Sefcovic states that the EU will not accept options that 'cut Northern Ireland off from the Single Market'.