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'Final talks' between EU and UK set for later on Northern Ireland Protocol

Ursula von der Leyen and Rishi Sunak will meet later near London
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

08.48 27 Feb 2023


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'Final talks' between EU and U...

'Final talks' between EU and UK set for later on Northern Ireland Protocol

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

08.48 27 Feb 2023


Share this article


European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet later for "final talks" about the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Downing Street said the two leaders are expected to meet around lunchtime near London.

UK cabinet ministers will be updated on the talks in the afternoon.

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If a final deal is agreed, Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen will hold a short joint news conference in the late afternoon.

Mr Sunak will then deliver a statement in the House of Commons.

In a joint statement released by Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen on Sunday, they "agreed to continue their work in person towards shared, practical solutions for the range of complex challenges around the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland."

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was also in contact with Ms von der Leyen on Sunday.

He said he very much welcomes news of the meeting today.

Downing Street said Mr Sunak "wants to ensure any deal fixes the practical problems on the ground, ensures trade flows freely within the whole of the UK, safeguards Northern Ireland's place in our Union and returns sovereignty to the people of Northern Ireland."

"Over the past few months, there have been intensive negotiations with the EU - run by British ministers - and positive, constructive progress has been made," a statement said.

"There have been hundreds of hours of talks covering all issues at stake and talking from first principles - what works for Northern Ireland".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen makes a statement on camera regarding Brexit negotiations at EU headquarters in Brussels European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen makes a statement on camera regarding Brexit negotiations at EU headquarters in Brussels. Picture by: Julien Warnand/AP/Press Association Images

It comes after the UK's Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said Britain was "on the cusp of a deal."

Ms von der Leyen had been due to travel to the UK on Saturday to hold talks with Mr Sunak and meet King Charles III, but the plans were scrapped.

Mr Sunak has said his government was "giving it everything" to strike a deal over the protocol.

"There's unfinished business on Brexit and I want to get the job done," he told The Sunday Times, adding that he would work all weekend to nail down revised terms.

What is the Northern Ireland Protocol and why does it matter? Sean Defoe tells you all you need to know in Let Me Explain

Reporting by: IRN

Main image: Split screen image shows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

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Brexit Brussels Downing Street Leo Varadkar Northern Ireland Protocol Rishi Sunak Ursula Von Der Leyen

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