Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal for Northern Ireland formally signed off with EU

The Guardian ^ | 24th March 2023 | Rowena Mason

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Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal for Northern Ireland has been formally signed off at a meeting in London, after a Conservative rebellion against the deal failed this week.

James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, adopted the new arrangements for Northern Ireland at a meeting with the European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič.

It comes after Sunak won the overwhelming backing of MPs for the Windsor framework, which seeks to overcome trade problems with the Northern Ireland protocol struck in the original Brexit deal.

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In a joint statement, Cleverly and Šefčovič said they had met in a “constructive atmosphere”.

“The joint committee welcomed the positive approach of both sides and adopted the new arrangements set out in the Windsor framework.

“These arrangements address, in a definitive manner, the challenges in the operation of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland over the last two years and the everyday issues faced by people and businesses in Northern Ireland, while supporting and protecting the Good Friday or Belfast agreement in all its parts, and protecting the integrity of the European Union’s single market, and Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom’s internal market.

“Both sides agreed to work together intensively and faithfully to implement all elements of the Windsor framework. The United Kingdom and European Union also reaffirmed their intent to use all available mechanisms in the framework to address and jointly resolve any relevant future issues that may emerge.”

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During a visit to RAF Valley in Anglesey, north Wales, on Wednesday evening, Sunak praised the “incredibly strong support” for his agreement.

“It passed very solidly with Conservative votes and that is because it is a good deal for people, for families, for businesses in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“The Windsor framework restores the balance of the Belfast Good Friday agreement, it secures Northern Ireland’s place in our union, it restores sovereignty, and for all those reasons, I’m pleased that it commanded such strong support, we’re going to implement it now and make sure we can look forward to a bright and better future for Northern Ireland.”

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Update...

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1760711/james-cleverly-echr-tory-mps-immigration-update

And the UK still has yet to Brexit.