Ireland criticizes British government: London rejects Northern Ireland protocol proposals from the EU even before publication

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Simon Coveney criticizes the British Foreign Secretary for his behavior on the question of the Northern Ireland Protocol

Photo: LORRAINE O'SULLIVAN / REUTERS

Negotiations with the European Union on a Brexit solution for Northern Ireland are on the brink. Now Northern Ireland's neighbor Ireland has criticized the British government. "Every time the European Union comes up with new ideas and new proposals for solving problems, they are rejected before they are published, and that is happening again this week," said Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Monday. British Brexit Minister David Frost wants to call for significant changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol that he himself negotiated on Tuesday.

The EU wants to present its proposals on Wednesday on how to reduce the tensions created by Brexit.

Brussels and London had agreed on the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol in the course of Britain's exit from the EU.

This is to prevent a hard border between the British province and the EU member Ireland.

However, this created a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, there were trade problems and sometimes empty supermarket shelves.

London threatens to terminate the protocol

Coveney said the EU spent months preparing its proposals to solve many of the practical problems that frustrate many people in Northern Ireland.

This involves, for example, the delivery of medicines and food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Brexit Minister Frost Coveney had previously accused of raising the mood against Great Britain via social media.

"That's what he has to say," Coveney said now.

After all, Frost himself kept the British media informed in his favor.

London threatens to terminate the protocol.

The focus is currently on the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for Northern Ireland.

Coveney was astonished that London had agreed to the role of the ECJ as the highest arbitrator in the protocol in the agreement, but was now calling this question a red line.

svs / dpa