The Brexit talks had been actually on skinny ice in the present day – because the EU’s Maros Sefcovic took a tumble on a slippery step.
Mr Sefcovic almost got here a-cropper as he arrived at Chevening for discussions with Liz Truss on the Northern Eire protocol.
The Overseas Secretary and ministers regarded on aghast as he almost misplaced his stability by the doorway to the stately dwelling in Kent, however shortly recovered.
Mr Sefcovic tweeted footage of the pair strolling across the grounds and stated that they had an ‘alternative’ to resolve important points.
The Brexit divorce guidelines have been blamed for fuelling sectarian tensions in Northern Eire, with the DUP demanding the protocol is axed altogether.
The UK authorities has threatened to invoke Article 16 and droop the preparations if Brussels doesn’t comply with a deeper overhaul.
Maros Sefcovic almost got here a-cropper as he arrived at Chevening for discussions with Liz Truss on the Northern Eire protocol
The EU vice-president and Overseas Secretary are holding discussions on the stately dwelling in Kent in the present day
Mr Sefcovic tweeted footage of the pair strolling across the grounds and stated that they had an ‘alternative’ to resolve important points
Talking forward of the talks, Ms Truss stated: ‘There’s a deal to be completed that protects peace in Northern Eire, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the UK and EU. However it’s going to require a realistic method from the EU.
‘I will likely be placing ahead sensible, cheap options ranging from these elementary ideas, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations.
‘The EU has a transparent duty to assist repair the myriad issues attributable to the Protocol and shield the Good Friday Settlement.’
Boris Johnson handed duty for Brexit to Ms Truss final month following the resignation of Brexit Minister Lord Frost over coverage variations.
Lord Frost, who negotiated the unique Brexit deal, adopted a hardline method to the talks, which yielded a lot of concessions, however which was additionally blamed by some for souring the temper on central points.
One Overseas Workplace supply stated the brand new method could be ‘carrot and stick, however extra carrot than stick’.
Chevening, a 115-room mansion in Kent, is likely one of the grandest grace-and-favour properties on the Authorities’s books.
Mr Sefcovic and his staff are being handled to a ‘political dinner’ hosted by Ms Truss this night, the place they are going to be served Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and Kent apple pie.
Additional talks will then proceed tomorrow morning earlier than Mr Sefcovic returns to Brussels.
Officers hope that Ms Truss’s new proposals will then type the idea for 2 weeks of intensive negotiations earlier than an extra political assembly on the finish of this month, in all probability in Brussels.
A supply stated she wished to ‘deal with extra sensible options to the issues affecting individuals on the bottom’.
Downing Road stated the UK nonetheless believes the situations for triggering Article 16 – unilaterally suspending elements of the treaty – have been reached, however the Authorities remains to be targeted on making an attempt to resolve the problems by talks.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman stated: ‘We have to repair the issues within the protocol with a view to shield the Belfast Settlement and the peace course of.
‘The Overseas Secretary will likely be placing ahead sensible and cheap options with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations.
The Overseas Secretary is internet hosting Mr Sefcovic for a two-day summit at her official nation residence Chevening (pictured) as she tries to finish the border row threatening to destabilise the Province
‘We very a lot imagine there’s a deal to be completed however the EU should present pragmatism.
‘It stays our robust desire to achieve a negotiated resolution, which is what you’ll be able to see we’re in search of to attain in the present day.’
Mr Sefcovic tweeted: ‘In Dec, we delivered on medicines. Now we’ve a possibility to take action on different points, constructing on the EU’s far-reaching proposals. My goal: stability, predictability in NI.’
The Overseas Workplace supply stated the important thing ideas established by Lord Frost would stay in place, with a deal with easing the movement of products between Britain and Northern Eire by reducing paperwork and checks, and guaranteeing that the European Court docket of Justice is just not the ‘remaining arbiter’ of disputes.
Underneath the Brexit deal, Northern Eire has been granted free entry to the EU’s single market to stop the necessity for a tough border on the island of Eire.
However this has led to the imposition of onerous EU checks on items crossing the Irish Sea from Nice Britain.