[ad_1]
The EU has thanked US President-elect Joe Biden for his “clear support” amid the bloc’s dispute with Britain over Boris Johnson’s controversial Brexit legislation.
Brussels took legal action last month against the prime minister’s internal market bill, which the UK government has admitted could violate international law.
The legislation seeks to allow ministers to annul parts of Britain’s divorce settlement regarding Northern Ireland, which was agreed last year.
Prime Minister’s Internal Market Bill Could Make UK Violate International Law
In a phone call on Monday, European Council President Charles Michel congratulated Mr biden on his victory over Donald Trump in this month’s US election.
Michel also “thanked the president-elect for his clear support regarding the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement that the EU concluded with the UK last year,” an EU statement said.
“This agreement preserves peace and stability in Ireland and fully respects the Good Friday Agreement,” he added.
During the dispute over the internal market bill between the EU and the UK, Biden has previously warned that the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement became a “victim” of Brexi.
He also said that a trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom “must depend on respect” of the Good Friday Agreement and “the return of a firm border” on the island of Ireland.
Biden’s office said it “reaffirmed” its support for the Good Friday Agreement in a phone call with Johnson earlier this month following his election victory.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Coveney: No deal if UK breaks the law
The Prime Minister and his fellow ministers have repeatedly insisted that the Internal Market Bill is “essential” to ensure unlimited access for Northern Ireland’s goods to the rest of the UK and to protect the Good Friday Agreement .
The House of Lords was due to continue its consideration of the legislation on Monday, and their peers had already voted overwhelmingly to remove the section of the bill that would allow ministers to violate international law.
But the government has swore to reinstall any part of the bill that is removed by the Lords, when the legislation returns to the House of Commons.
