DATELINE BRUSSELS: European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic in November warned of “serious consequences” if the UK sought to renegotiate the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Following talks with the UK’s Brexit Minister David Frost on how goods can be shipped between Northern Ireland and Britain, Mr Šefcovic called for more sincerity from the latter side, reports Xinhua news agency. “Until today, we have seen no move at all from the UK side,” Sefcovic said at a press conference following the meeting. I find this disappointing and once again I urge the UK government to engage with us sincerely. We hear a lot about Article 16 at the moment. Let there be no doubt that triggering Article 16—to seek the renegotiation of the Protocol—would have serious consequences.

“Serious for Northern Ireland, as it would lead to instability and unpredictability. And serious also for EU-UK relations in general, as it would mean a rejection of EU efforts to find a consensual solution to the implementation of the protocol,” he added. Invoking Article 16 of the Protocol would allow the UK to reconsider the lack of a border with Ireland if it believes it is causing serious economic difficulties. It could also suspend customs checks across the Irish Sea and this may threaten the European Single Market. Mr Šefcovic said the Commission had proposed a whole new model for how goods can be moved from Britain to Northern Ireland, creating a sort of express lane that could cut customs-related red tape by half.