EU member states have agreed to the most important new agreement with Great Britain on the issue of Northern Ireland. The European Commission and Sunak’s government signed a new agreement in Northern Ireland three weeks ago. If the British Parliament also approves the so-called Windsor Framework, British goods destined for Northern Ireland will no longer need to be inspected.

Agreements have also been made that leave more room for different VAT and customs rates in Northern Ireland than in the EU. Northern Irish will also have a bigger say. The EU had previously struck a deal with the UK to prevent Brexit from creating a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, but on second thought, the UK couldn’t accept it. According to London, the deal led to a hard border in the Irish Sea.

Read also | Dutch-British Chamber of Commerce positive about Northern Ireland deal: ‘Very workable story’

Red and green labels

The so-called Northern Ireland protocol marred two years of British-European ties and led to a political stalemate. Until three weeks ago, British Prime Minister Sunak and European Union President von der Leyen agreed on new construction – the Windsor deal. The new plan provides for green and red routes: the green route includes all goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, which are specially labeled to remain in Northern Ireland. The red route are goods that enter the EU via Northern Ireland, they also receive a separate label. And Europe can monitor the label.

Read also | The Windsor deal is not a deal yet, enthusiastic though it is

The EU now agrees with these new findings, despite the fact that some of the new agreements require amendments to European law. For example, for the import and export of medicines and fresh foodstuffs, animals and plants. The British House of Commons will vote on the Windsor Framework tomorrow.