The European Union and the United Kingdom are close to an agreement that should resolve tensions around the border controls in Northern Ireland. Bloomberg news agency reports this based on information from British and Brussels officials.
The British government has asked the EU to allow Northern Ireland to import sausages and refrigerated meat products from the United Kingdom for a more extended period. European negotiators are now said to be inclined to agree to this, say sources; however, a final agreement is not yet in place.
Earlier this month, the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, threatened to suspend part of the Brexit Protocol if the EU did not agree to a compromise on Northern Ireland. In order to do this, he wanted to use a particular clause in the Brexit agreement that allows both parties to withdraw if compliance with the agreements would have serious consequences. The EU then accused the British government of not respecting international agreements.
