“Today marks an important moment in replacing the NI Protocol.  The European Union has moved significantly, something many told us was not possible.  The Ulster Unionist Party has spent years lobbying and putting forward alternatives and we are glad to see the EU acknowledge that serious problems are posed by the Protocol.  

“This must only be the start of discussions.  The EU proposals are not the only ones in existence and the UK Government’s Command Paper must be considered alongside them.  This cannot be a one sided or imbalanced process.  

“We will consider the EU proposals in full but what is important to us is that anything put forward is not merely a sticking plaster.  The Protocol is fundamentally flawed and that must be addressed with long-term solutions.”