Read on Twitter
I think entirely in line with expectations. Doubling down & dismissing any real prospect of improving operations of the Protocol. Entirely within EU's right & understandable in some ways. But equally I think short sighted. Thread 1/ https://twitter.com/StefaanDeRynck/status/1359581715707084809
I'm not sure I really understand the logic of responding to one side of the NI community (unionist) coming close to entirely washing their hands of the Protocol by saying, well actually you haven't really implemented it fully yet. 2/
You can argue its about trust. Maybe. But hard to see how it helps build trust on both sides when it makes problems worse. It also chimes with EU approach in other parts of the negotiations. When UK side asks for something they deflect & create new issues UK must deal with 3/
It is entirely in keeping with EU approach to negotiations to point out problems, double down & highlight member state concerns to create leverage. Its worked very well in Brexit negotiations to be fair. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense in the context of NI 4/
The repost will remain, UK signed it they must implement it. Ok, but what was the alternative? Go for no deal? Do those who advocate this approach believe that is what the UK should have done rather than getting this in place & seeking to implement it in the best way possible? 5/
This isn't about renegotiating the Protocol. The fundamental approach in the Protocol is the only one that can really work now. Will always be some form of border down Irish Sea (subject to consent). Question is how hard does it need to be? 6/
EU side seems somewhat to have lost sight of 'unique circumstances' in NI. Whole point is that it is not the same as any other border. Sefcovic letter implies that it is. Whether border is in Irish Sea or between North & South it is still not the same as any other border 7/
Not sure if reference to "teething problems" is meant to be tongue in cheek or mocking of UK Government position on this? Either way, not especially wise, just as it was unwise for UK Govt to say they were teething problems. Not teething problems but largely permanent changes 8/
In the end, sure business will find a way to make Protocol work. Question is whether unionist community can be kept on board. If not, then no one can predict how consent process will go in a few years. If Protocol is voted down then, we will all be in a much worse place 9/ ENDS
