The EU believes that the UK's unilateral decision is violating international law. 9News
European Commissioner for Inter-institutional Relations and Foresight Maros Sefcovic holds up documents as he speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday.The so-called Northern Ireland Protocol is theThe 27-nation bloc will restart the infringement procedure launched against the UK government last year afterThe action had been put on hold in September 2021 as both parties tried to find a joint solution.
In the final stages of an infringement procedure, which can last for months, the European Commission can refer such cases to the bloc's highest court.Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a border with an EU country — the Republic of Ireland., the two sides agreed to keep the Irish land border free of customs posts and other checks because an open border is a key pillar of the peace process that ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
British unionists in Northern Ireland say the new checks have put a burden on businesses and frayed the bonds between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK —seen by some unionists as a threat to their British identity.says the Brexit rules also are undermining peace in Northern Ireland, where they have caused a political crisis.
Northern Ireland's main unionist party is blocking the formation of a new power-sharing government in Belfast, saying it won't take part until the Brexit trade rules are scrapped.