The Republic of Ireland welcomes the agreement reached between the UK and the EU on the “Windsor Framework” as it comprehensively addresses the concerns raised by people and businesses in Northern Ireland, the Irish Ambassador to Cyprus, Conor Long, told CNA on Monday. Ambassador Long was speaking about the agreement announced last week by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President of Ursula von der Leyen, aimed at fixing post-Brexit problems in Northern Ireland. Asked to comment on the effect the agreement will have on Northern Ireland in particular, Long said that the Framework provides stability and predictability and protects Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market by ensuring that the same food and medicines will be available in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the UK. Another important aspect of the agreement, according to Long, is that it also gives Northern Ireland’s representatives and stakeholders a say in how arrangements will apply in Northern Ireland. The Irish diplomat added that the EU has clearly listened to the concerns of elected representatives, business, civil society and consumers in Northern Ireland, noting that through close and constructive cooperation, the EU and the UK have agreed practical solutions to the real-life concerns raised. As regards the way forward, the Irish Ambassador reckoned that parties in Northern Ireland will need time to consider the agreement, adding that the goal now is to get the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement up and running across all three strands (democratic institutions in Northern Ireland, North-South institutions and British-Irish institutions). ‘This is what the people of Northern Ireland very clearly want’, he stressed. As far as Ireland’s strategic goals are concerned, Long reiterated that these remain the same as they were at the outset: protecting the Single Market, protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement, working for a stronger EU, and building a vibrant and enduring relationship with the UK. He also said that reaching this agreement opens a new chapter in EU-UK relations, allowing the two sides to forge a stronger partnership to address shared global challenges, while this agreement also provides an opportunity for an improved British-Irish partnership, which has been so vital for peace and prosperity on these islands.
Source: Cyprus News Agency