Barry Andrews MEP (Fianna Fáil, Renew Europe) has welcomed the first joint statement issued by the European Commission and the UK, since the Commission brought forward its package of proposals on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in October 2021.
“This joint statement is a positive signal that talks between the EU and the UK are moving in the right direction. It is notable that it coincides with the change of leadership on the UK side, marking a break from Lord Frost’s confrontational approach. Both sides now need to capitalise on this progress to resolve any outstanding issues.”
MEP Andrews is a full member of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, which looks set to have its inaugural meeting in Spring 2022.
“The EU and the UK need to move to the next phase of their relationship, building a partnership based on shared values and objectives. This is unlikely to happen until issues surrounding the Protocol have been put to bed. Whilst the first meeting of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly should focus on how we can jointly address global challenges such as climate change, outstanding issues on the Protocol would understandably take precedent.”
Separately, MEP Andrews has been campaigning for deeper links between political representatives from Belfast and Brussels. “This is a personal priority and something I will be working hard to advance in the coming months”.
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