untroubled Government legislation that would allow British ministers to unilaterally share the Northern Ireland The protocol undermines trust and respect with the EU, Maros Sefcovic said.
The European Commission The vice president also warned in a speech to the British-Irish Association conference in Oxford that it was “legally and politically unthinkable” for the British government to try to change the conditions under which goods can enter the EU’s internal market.
The government is advancing its bill to give ministers powers to lift controls irish sea trade created by the post-Brexit protocol jointly agreed by the UK and the EU as part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement to allow the Irish land border to flow freely.
However, Mr Sefcovic said the EU had already made “far-reaching” proposals to address concerns from stakeholders in Northern Ireland about the functioning of the protocol.
He said the EU proposals would create an express lane for goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland and reduce sanitary and phytosanitary checks and controls by more than 80%.
He said: “However, these proposals were never taken seriously by my colleagues. In short, they were unceremoniously dismissed.
“The UK hasn’t even talked to us since February.
“Instead, we are now faced with the continued determination of the British government to push through the Northern Ireland Protocol Act, which will leave the core elements of the Protocol inapplicable.
This clear violation of international law is extremely damaging to mutual trust and respect between the EU and the UK
“This unilateral action is of course a matter of great concern to the EU.
“It is not just up to the UK government to change our bilateral agreement and change the conditions under which goods can enter the EU’s single market and reach our consumers.
“This is simply unthinkable legally and politically.
“This clear violation of international law is extremely damaging to mutual trust and respect between the EU and the UK.”
Mr Sefcovic said the UK government, by pursuing the bill despite criticism, was creating “deep uncertainty” for businesses and people in Northern Ireland.
He added: “Only joint solutions can create the legal certainty and predictability that people and businesses in Northern Ireland need and deserve.
“I am convinced that with political will and commitment, we can still explore the full potential of our far-reaching proposals and find a way forward.
“This appeal to the UK government to engage with us has been clear for over a year now.
“And it still stands – including facing the incoming British Prime Minister and Government.
“Further unilateral action may give the impression to many in the EU that the UK leadership is not that interested in working with the EU.
“For my part, I stand ready to work intensively and constructively with any new British interlocutor to find a common solution within the protocol.
“The EU will never leave the table.”
Individuals and corporations look to their political leaders, on both sides, to make their lives easier rather than harder
In his address to the British-Irish Association, the Secretary of Northern Ireland said: Shailesh Vara said there are “real problems” with the way the protocol works, but added he hoped they could be resolved without having to resort to legislation.
He said: “We are determined to resolve those issues, if possible through negotiations and agreement with the EU, thus providing stability for businesses and citizens across Northern Ireland. But with legislation like that is not possible.
“Our goal with the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation is to set up an insurance policy so that we can make sure we have a way to resolve the issues with the Protocol.
“Like all insurance policies, they are better if they are not invoked, but we have to come to a solution.”
Mr Vara added: “There is also a bigger picture here. We need to get back to finding a common understanding and a trusting relationship between friends and neighbors with a spirit of good intentions and a willingness to make things better.
“A stronger relationship between the UK/Ireland and the UK/EU is in all our interests, not least given the broader geostrategic challenges we face.
“Individuals and corporations look to their political leaders, on both sides, to make their lives easier, not harder.”