EU Accuses Britain of Failing to Live Up to Brexit Agreement on Northern Ireland Border- FARS

(FNA)- European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic accused the UK of failing to live up to “very clear obligations” which Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed up to under the Northern Ireland protocol to his Brexit deal.

Giving evidence to the Irish parliament, Sefcovic identified numerous “shortcomings” in the UK’s observation of the deal, complaining that controls at border posts are not being performed and EU officials are not being granted access to data on imports in line with the agreement, The Independent reported.

But he brushed aside suggestions that the protocol and its customs border in the Irish Sea could be scrapped, insisting that Brussels regards it as the solution for peace and stability in Northern Ireland.

Asked about weekend reports that UK Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove was considering a “mutual enforcement” plan which might restore a land border policed by the EU and UK, he noted that the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had “reiterated his full support” for the existing arrangement when they met in London last week.

Sefcovic offered an apology for the Commission’s January 29 threat to invoke Article 16 of the protocol to stop Northern Ireland being used as a back door for coronavirus vaccine exports to the UK.