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Leading figures in the EU are contemplating a major reestablishment in relations with the UK, which would coincide with the formal ratification of the free trade agreement at the end of April, RTÉ News has learned.
The idea would be for both sides to work towards a package of solutions around the outstanding issues of the Northern Ireland Protocol, as well as other areas of tension, such as the status of the EU delegation in the UK.
High-level figures have confirmed to RTÉ News that a formal and joint event marking the ratification of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (ATT), which was concluded by both parties on Christmas Eve, could inaugurate a more harmonious relationship.
It is understood that very tentative discussions have taken place at a higher level between officials in Brussels and London.
The new post-Brexit relationship has gotten off to a troubled start since the beginning of January, with latent tension over the Northern Ireland Protocol, the procurement of vaccines, the diplomatic rights of the EU ambassador to the UK and alleged discrimination against citizens by several of the Eastern European member states on UK work visas.
The fear among senior EU officials is that unless there is a clear reset, the relationship could turn into perpetual tension.
Some observers have seen the appointment of David Frost, the former UK Brexit negotiator, to the role of overseeing the future relationship as a reflection of a dynamic that could be more confrontational than cooperative.
The European Parliament is expected to formally ratify the ATT on March 24, meaning that national capitals would give their final and formal consent to the treaty in early or mid-April.
Senior figures envision a possible “handshake” moment between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU leaders, symbolically marking a new, more harmonious era in relations.
Ideally, this would coincide with both sides signing a solution package for the most contentious outstanding issues, especially the Northern Ireland Protocol and the London embassy matter.
However, it is understood that tough negotiations would have to take place in the coming weeks in order to provide the political space for a genuine reboot.
The Northern Ireland Protocol remains the most difficult issue, following the European Commission’s decision to invoke Article 16 at the end of January.
Trade unionists’ demands for the protocol to be scrapped have so far fallen on deaf ears, but London and Brussels remain at a distance on how to resolve the deepening antagonism over trade barriers on goods moving from Britain. to Northern Ireland.
In December, both parties reached an agreement on how to implement the protocol, which went into effect on January 1.
A grace period, during which Northern Ireland supermarkets importing large volumes of food from Britain would be exempt from the need for costly and cumbersome documentation, expires on April 1.
Wednesday’s meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee, co-chaired by commission vice-chairman Maroš Šefčovič and his British counterpart, Michael Gove, concluded without any real progress on pending issues.
It is understood that Mr Šefčovič has requested another joint committee meeting before the end of March, before the deadline for the end of the grace period.
The UK has requested two grace periods, related to food safety regulations, which will run until January 1, 2023.
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