London, Thanasis Gavos

A new “Brexit deal” is expected to be announced within the next two weeks, the Daily Telegraph reports citing sources close to the talks taking place between London and Brussels.

These talks are aimed at finding the golden ratio on his subject Protocol on Northern Ireland accompanying the Brexit agreementwhich has been a source of tension in the relations between the two sides for years.

The Telegraph’s report is consistent with information published by other British media in recent days, according to which a consensus has been found regarding controls on products moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, as well as the extent of jurisdiction that the European Court of Justice should have in matters concerning Northern Ireland.

As for the first part, it is believed that the agreement will stipulate that there will be no customs checks on products coming from Great Britain and having a final destination in Northern Ireland. Controls will continue to be carried out on British products going through Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland, i.e. single market territory.

This system is in line with London’s proposal for ‘green’ and ‘red’ trade lanes.

As for the issue of the European Court of Justice, it appears that the agreement will stipulate that it will be the final court for resolving disputes arising in Northern Ireland and relating to European law.

The compromise is that most cases in Northern Ireland regarding Brexit-related matters will first be given the chance to be resolved by the local courts. Until now, the Community position has been that the European Commission has the right to appeal to the European Court of Justice whenever it deems appropriate.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reportedly scheduled talks with other European leaders in the coming days, with the most likely time to announce the deal next week.

The British government’s concern, as all relevant reports have explained, is whether such a deal would be accepted by Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which believes that controls on products crossing the Irish Sea and any involvement of the European Court undermine the integrity of the United Kingdom.