The committee discussed the new arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework.

These arrangements address the challenges in the operation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland over the last two years and the everyday issues faced by people and businesses in Northern Ireland, while supporting and protecting the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement in all its parts, and protecting the integrity of the EU single market and Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom’s internal market.

Both sides discussed cooperation in a range of crucial areas including energy, trade and security and agreed on next steps, a joint statement issued by European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic and the UK secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth & development affairs James Cleverly said.

The Joint Committee also covered other important issues under the Withdrawal Agreement, in particular their joint work to protect the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, addressing all relevant issues.

Both sides underlined the importance of collaboration over the past year as Europe decouples from Russian fossil fuels and highlighted the importance of dialogue on security of supply.

They looked forward to the signing of memoranda of understanding on financial services and on intellectual property soon.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)