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The dispute over the supply of vaccines between the EU and the British-Swedish company AstraZeneca has turned into a diplomatic crisis between London and Brussels. After the European Union announced that it would strictly control exports between Ireland and Northern Ireland in the future, Northern Ireland Prime Minister Ariene Foster accused the EU of an “act of hostility”.
By controlling exports of vaccines produced in EU countries, the EU is creating a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which the Northern Ireland Protocol should prevent, he tweeted. This is an “incredible act of hostility” and an “aggressive and shameful procedure.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the EU Commission to immediately explain its intentions regarding possible controls.
And the EU Commission responded in the evening with a statement. Consequently, it introduces a regulation that links vaccine exports to a license from Member States. The Northern Ireland Protocol is not affected. “The Commission will not activate the safeguard clause,” they say.
However, if the vaccines are exported to third countries without authorization, the EU will use all available means, he said. The corresponding regulation will be published on the Saturday after its approval.
Dispute with AstraZeneca
In the course of the dispute over cuts in delivery from vaccine maker AstraZeneca, the EU announced in a document on Friday that it would closely monitor the export of vaccines in the future and, if necessary, stop it. Pharmaceutical companies that have also concluded supply contracts with the EU will need to apply for export permits in the future.
The EU referred to Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol in the statement, which was later removed from the website, allowing unilateral safeguards in the event of unexpected negative effects of the deal. In the specific case, the EU wants to protect itself against unregulated doses of vaccine that arrive in Great Britain through Northern Ireland as a back door.
A spokesperson for the commission confirmed to SPIEGEL late in the evening that Article 16 would not be activated.
Make only a fraction of vaccine deliveries
AstraZeneca had previously announced that it could only make a fraction of the promised deliveries. Vaccines produced in the EU are assumed to have been delivered to third countries such as Great Britain.
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had expressed in the evening to the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, his “great concern” about the potential impact that could result from the steps described in the document of the UE removed. This was announced by a spokesperson.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Brussels should take a step back from the dispute with Britain. Barnier called for a “spirit of cooperation” if both sides want to cooperate.
Due to the Northern Ireland Protocol negotiated by London and Brussels, the part of the country belonging to Great Britain is even more linked to the EU despite Brexit and continues to follow the rules of the EU internal market. This is to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which could lead to the outbreak of old violent conflicts. Export controls between the EU and Northern Ireland would contradict this regulation.
