| Author (Corporate) | Government of the United Kingdom |
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| Publisher | The Stationery Office (TSO) |
| Publication Date | February 2023 |
| ISBN | 978-1-5286-3937-8 |
| Content Type | Blog & Commentary, News, Policy-making |
Summary:Policy paper published by the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) setting out the details of the so-called Windsor Agreement, subject to a political agreement with the European Commission on 27 February 2023. The Framework seeks to overcome disagreements as regards the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. Further information:The substantive provisions of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland started to apply on 1 January 2021. However, its full implementation was subject to great controversy and discussion in the years that followed, particularly as the impact of those provisions on the relations between Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB) became more visible. Following a long period of discussion and negotiations, the UK Government and the European Commission reached a common understanding aimed at facilitating the implementation of the Protocol and easing the tension between the two sides. The Windsor Agreement constitutes a set of joint solutions aimed at addressing the practical challenges faced by citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland, thereby providing them with lasting certainty and predictability. The joint solutions cover, amongst other things, new arrangements on customs, agri-food, medicines, VAT and excise, as well as specific instruments designed to ensure that the voices of the people of Northern Ireland are better heard on specific issues particularly relevant to the communities there. The political agreement sought to open a new chapter in the relations between the UK and the European Union (EU). The UK Government committed to stop the legislative procedure relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, whereas the Commission agreed to drop existing infringement procedures connected to the implementation of the Protocol. However, both sides were still required to translate the joint solutions of the Windsor Framework into legally binding instruments. On that same day, the European Commission published draft Regulations on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, medicinal products for human use, and tariff rate quotas (TRQs). On 22 March, the UK Parliament voted to endorse the political agreement reached with the European Union. |
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| Source Link |
Link to Main Source
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-windsor-framework
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets, Politics and International Relations, Trade |
| Subject Tags | Brexit, Regional Dimension |
| Keywords | Northern Ireland, Post-Brexit |
| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
| International Organisations | European Union [EU] |
