French President Insists UK Must Adhere to Brexit Agreement Provisions
At the conclusion of the G7 summit in Cornwall, French President Emmanuel Macron directed sharp criticism at UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stating that Johnson was “well aware” of the commitments he made regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol and must now implement them “seriously, calmly and professionally.”
Macron’s remarks were a direct response to Johnson’s calls for flexibility from the European Union, emphasizing that it is not the EU’s responsibility to rectify the inconsistencies in the Brexit deal that Johnson himself had demanded, negotiated, and accepted. He highlighted that respect for the UK’s sovereignty, including Northern Ireland’s status as an integral part of the UK, should not come at the expense of the EU’s single market regulations.
During the summit, Johnson positioned himself as a protector of UK sovereignty against what he described as the excessively “purist” application of the protocol by the EU. This includes a looming ban on the movement of sausages and other chilled meats from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, set to take effect at the end of the month. Following a tense exchange with Macron, who pointed out that Britain and Northern Ireland are on different islands, Johnson insisted that EU leaders need to recognize Northern Ireland’s integral place within the UK.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned the EU’s approach as “offensive,” accusing Macron of attempting to alter Northern Ireland’s status against the will of its citizens. Johnson has warned he may suspend the protocol unless Brussels makes concessions, declaring, “We will do whatever it takes to protect the territorial integrity of the UK.”
In response, the Élysée Palace clarified that Macron’s comments simply acknowledged the geographical separation of Britain and Northern Ireland, with a French diplomatic source suggesting Johnson was using the issue as a “distraction.”
Macron, speaking at a press conference following the summit, reiterated a unified EU stance, demanding that Johnson honor the terms of the protocol established in 2019. He asserted, “We just want them to be respected seriously, calmly and professionally – that’s all.” Macron also reminded attendees that Johnson had previously rejected Theresa May’s “backstop” arrangement for the Irish border, which aimed to balance the competing interests of UK territorial integrity, the Good Friday Agreement, and the EU single market.