According to the BBC, the EU is not looking for a “political victory” on the protocol, the European Commission vice president has said. EU No Political Brexit Victory
Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day visit to Northern Ireland, Maros Sefcovic was reflecting on his talks with Stormont politicians. EU No Political Brexit Victory
“I want to find a solution which would represent win-win – victory for all, first and foremost for the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.
“That’s my attitude. That’s my approach.”
The UK wants the Northern Ireland Protocol, which puts a trade border in the Irish Sea, changed.
Unionists believe it undermines their place in the United Kingdom and want it to be scrapped.
Mr Sefcovic made his comments during a press conference on Friday afternoon, having earlier made a speech at Queen’s University in Belfast.
He said the main take away from his exchanges in Northern Ireland was the need for “stability and predictability”.
On Thursday, Mr Sefcovic called on politicians to “dial down the rhetoric” on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It came after Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson warned that his party may quit Stormont “within weeks” if its protocol demands were not met.
Responding to the remarks made by the European Commission vice-president, Sir Jeffrey said he acknowledged it was Mr Sefcovic’s job to protect “the integrity of the EU single market”.
“But I think it’s unfortunate that Mr Sefcovic would be so dismissive of the real and genuine concerns that there are out there,” said Sir Jeffrey.
