Coveney to brief members of US Congress on Brexit
Members of the US Congress are to receive a briefing today on the latest Brexit developments from Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.
The ‘Friends of Ireland’ caucus, a bipartisan group on Capitol Hill, will receive the briefing amid concerns in Washington over last week’s decision by the UK government to unilaterally change the way the Northern Ireland Protocol is being implemented.
Mr Šefčovič will be on the call in his capacity as the European Union’s co-chair of the Joint Committee, which oversees the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Last week, the UK government announced the extension of the grace period for post-Brexit supermarket agri-food movements from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland.
The EU said it was a potential breach of international law and contrary to the good faith provision of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
The European Commission is expected to take legal action against the UK in the coming days.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the situation last week and said that US President Joe Biden’s support for the Good Friday Agreement remained “unequivocal”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet virtually with Mr Biden next week for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Article Source – Coveny to brief members of US Congress on Brexit – RTE – Brian O’Donovan
