On the 15th, the European Commission issued an announcement stating that the European Commission had issued a formal notification letter to the United Kingdom, stating that the United Kingdom had violated the terms of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and had not implemented the "Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland". Relevant obligations under the Anglo-Europe Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič of the European Unio stated that the unilateral decisions and violations of international law taken by the United Kingdom in order to protect its own interests undermined the trust of both parties. Therefore, the European Unio decided to take legal measures.
Ou Meng has been issued to the British in the 15th formal notification letter, which means that open the entire judicial process. Next, the UK has one month to respond to EU concerns. At the same time, Seflovich sent a political letter to David Foster, the British representative of the Agreement Executive Committee, calling on the British government to revise its statement and decision.
One month later, if the negotiation between the two parties fails, the EU may then take action against the UK through the European Court of Justice or the Brexit Agreement dispute settlement mechanism.
On March 3, the British Prime Minister’s Office unilaterally changed part of the "UK-Europe Trade and Cooperation Agreement", extending the grace period for inspections of agricultural products and food imported to Northern Ireland by retailers to October 1, saying that this move is essential for ensuring goods. Free movement to Northern Ireland is necessary. The grace period stipulated in the previous agreement was April 1.
However, the move aroused opposition from the European Unio, claiming that it violated important provisions of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland (The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland). The protocol is the most controversial part of the Brexit agreement. Since Britain left the European Unio last year, relations between the two sides have deteriorated, and they have accused each other of breaking promise in part of the trade agreement involving the delivery of goods to Northern Ireland.
According to the "UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement", Northern Ireland will remain in the EU Customs Unio and the single market. But this also means that British goods exported to Northern Ireland will be subject to relevant tariff inspections after the grace period.
(Source: CCTV News Client)
