The UK and the EU have reached an agreement on issues surrounding the Northern Ireland border during a breakthrough in Brexit talks.
In a joint statement on the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK and EU said that “an agreement in principle” had been reached on all issues as part of negotiations over outstanding aspects of the agreement, which was agreed with the EU at the start of 2020 in advance of final Brexit talks.
However, negotiations to reach a post-Brexit trade deal are still continuing.
The agreement announced this afternoon covers issues including border checks on animal and plant products, the supply of medicines and deliveries of chilled meats and other food products to supermarkets.
There was also “clarification” on the application of rules on state subsidies - an issue that has so far divided the EU and the UK.
Officials say that in view of these “mutually-agreed solutions”, the UK Government will withdraw clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the UK Internal Market Bill – which could have overridden the Withdrawal Agreement – and will not introduce any similar provisions in the Taxation Bill.
Those clauses would have seen the Government over-ride the agreement previously reached with the EU in a move that had been heavily criticised by some, including many senior Conservatives anxious that it would have caused the UK to go back on its word.
The joint statement setting out progress in the talks led by Michael Gove and Maros Sefcovic said: “Following intensive and constructive work over the past weeks by the EU and the UK, the two co-chairs can now announce their agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
Officials say the agreement will remove outstanding issues surrounding the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol, the solution reached in a bid to avoid a hard border with Ireland while ensuring the UK, including Northern Ireland, leaves the EU as a whole.
Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said: “Of particular significance is the commitment by the UK to withdraw clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the Internal Market Bill, bringing it back into line with its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement.
“This positive development comes after significant and productive engagement between the EU and the UK on implementation of the protocol, as provided for under the Withdrawal Agreement.
“I look forward to an early meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee, chaired by commission vice president Maros Sefcovic and Michael Gove, to formalise the agreements reached.
“I hope this may also provide some of the positive momentum necessary to instil confidence and trust and allow progress in the wider context of the future relationship negotiations.”
It comes after the Prime Minister warned that talks with the European Union on a trade deal were proving "very tricky".
Later this week Mr Johnson will head to Brussels for face-to-face talks with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in an attempt to salvage a deal.
Time is running out before the current trading arrangements expire at the end of December.
Talks have hit difficulties over fishing rights, the "level playing field" measures aimed at preventing the UK undercutting the EU on standards and state subsidies, and the way that any deal would be governed.
