• The EU is “highly concerned” about the UK Bill that would dismantle the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• The bill would disapply large parts of the protocol and give ministers sweeping powers to preplace its provisions.
• Czech Europe Minister Mikulas Bek told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The UK Bill that would unilaterally repeal the Northern Ireland Protocol; has drawn the ire of the new Czech president of the European Union; which has expressed its “great concern” about it.

“The Withdrawal Agreement and its Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland; which is just over two and a half years old; is already at risk of being pulled apart by the UK;” said Czech Minister for Europe Mikulas Bek before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

“The situation greatly worries the Council [of the European Union]. We continue to be totally unified and prepared to defend the people; who stand to gain from the Withdrawal Agreement; which was created to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement and our single market, he added.

“We need to send a strong signal to the UK government,” said Mr. Bek; during a plenary session discussion of the UK Protocol Bill. There should be no misunderstanding that the EU wants to establish a strategic, long-lasting; and mutually beneficial engagement with the UK.

[embedpost slug=”britain-sets-up-eu-battle-with-n-ireland-changes”]

According to him, given the geopolitical climate at the moment “The EU and the UK stand together; as we condemn Russia for its ruthless and unjustifiable attack on Ukraine. We are both democratic countries; that prioritise upholding international accords “.

“Therefore, it is inappropriate to act; in a way that violates international agreements at this time. The highest standards must be upheld by all of us; including adherence to international accords “he said

On June 13, the UK introduced its Protocol Bill; which has already through a second reading in the House of Commons.

The measure would invalidate significant portions of the agreement; and provide ministers broad authority to change its provisions; which is what the UK government wishes.

[embedpost slug=”trade-with-n-ireland-clears-first-hurdle”]