Following reports that European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič wants EU-UK negotiations on the Protocol to conclude by the end of February, Steve Aiken MLA, UUP Finance spokesperson said:

“The usually well-informed Tony Connelly of RTE has indicated today that Maroš Šefčovič is seeking to pressurise the UK to conclude negotiations by the end of February. Maroš Šefčovič has had the opportunity over the last few years to gain at least a partial understanding of the political landscape here. What we need is for negotiations to be concluded as quickly as possible with an outcome that works for everyone because it is more vital than ever that Northern Ireland, its people and businesses are given stability and certainty going forward. We cannot continue in this perpetual cycle of negotiations.

“The Ulster Unionist Party has made clear where the landing ground lies, with no checks on goods from Great Britain which are destined to remain in Northern Ireland, red lanes for those goods heading for the EU, and further provisions laid out in the UK Command Paper. If the EU is serious about not becoming involved within the internal political wrangling of Northern Ireland, the answer is already there. It is well beyond time negotiators got to the solution rather than adding more deadline posturing.”