LONDON (CU)_British Prime Minster Boris Johnson says there were bound to be issues between London and Brussels that needed ironing out, as post-Brexit difficulties continue.
Last week, Lord Frost, Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe, sparked outrage in Brussels by unilaterally making changes related to the Northern Ireland Protocol and subsequently dismissed the move by calling on Brussels to “shake off any remaining ill will” towards the UK for leaving the bloc.
However, PM Johnson attempted to play down the dispute on Sunday by saying he is “full of optimism” about UK’s relations with the EU.
“I think this is one of those issues we were always bound to have in the early stages of our new relationship with our friends in the EU and the various technical issues we are going to iron out,” he said.
The so-called Northern Ireland Protocol was designed to ensure an open border was maintained on the island of Ireland following Brexit. However, this meant that Northern Ireland would align to various EU rules, including the introduction of checks on certain goods travelling between the region and Great Britain.
Last week, London announced that it will be extending several grace periods which were designed to ease trade with Northern Ireland, a move which led the European Commission to threaten legal action.
Although Lord Frost claims that the move would pave the way for constructive discussions with Brussels, however, the EU has responded with fury. Brussels has accused the United Kingdom of going back on its treaty obligations in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement which intended to ensure an open border was maintained between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Nevertheless, Lord Frost insists that the move was lawful and was intended to protect the everyday lives of people in Northern Ireland.
