Foreign Secretary Statement: Talks With Vice-President Maros Sefcovic

Press release

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss welcomes Vice President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič to Chevening House, for the latest round of negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Today (Thursday 13 January) the Foreign Secretary will urge the EU to fix the problems in the Protocol to deliver for NI and protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

Looking ahead to the meeting, Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss said:

There is a deal to be done that protects peace in Northern Ireland, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the United Kingdom and EU. But it will require a pragmatic approach from the EU.

I will be putting forward practical, reasonable solutions starting from these fundamental principles, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations.

The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the Protocol and protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. As fellow believers in liberty and democracy, we should be capable of reaching an agreement that delivers for Northern Ireland and allows us to unleash the full potential of our relationship.

Published 13 January 2022