The Ulster Unionist Party has written directly to Michel Barnier, the European Commission`s Chief Negotiator, calling on EC negotiators to respect both the letter and the spirit of the Belfast Agreement warning that the negative impact on community relations of their reckless statements undermining the agreement should not be underestimated.

The letter was signed jointly by the Ulster Unionist Leader, Robin Swann MLA, Party Chairman Lord Empey and Jim Nicholson MEP. They also encourage Michel Barnier to consult more widely than just the leaders of two of Northern Ireland`s political parties so that EC negotiators receive a fully representative range of views.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

STARTS

Michel Barnier,

European Commission,

Rue de la Loi 200,

1049 Bruxelles,

BELGIUM

Friday 2 March 2018

Dear Mr Barnier,

We write to express our deep concerns at the approach of the European Commission in recent Brexit negotiations which undermines the Belfast Agreement and the constitutional integrity of Northern Ireland.

We understand that you will obviously do all that you can to protect EU interests, but it should not be at the cost of sacrificing the Belfast Agreement and more specifically the Principle of Consent. The Belfast Agreement reaffirms the fact that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom and the EC Withdrawal Agreement proposals are a clear contradiction of that. They are a clear breach of the letter and the spirit of the Belfast Agreement. We would ask that you and the EC negotiating team reflect on that.

For instance, we would be grateful if you can explain how Articles 158 and 159 are not a breach of the Belfast Agreement?

Who would you propose will make up the Joint Committee on issues related to the island of Ireland (Article 158-1-C)?

Can you explain how Article 159-2, which gives legal status to the Joint Committee’s decisions, joined with powers of oversight of North-South Ministerial Council & North-South Implementation bodies, enabled under Protocol Chpt IV – Art 10 – 2 – b, will affect the workings and democratic decisions of elected Northern Ireland politicians, when devolution returns? 

Relative peace was brought to Northern Ireland by the Belfast Agreement in 1998 and one of its major principles which acts as its bedrock is the Principle of Consent which recognises Northern Ireland`s constitutional position within the United Kingdom. My party and colleagues such as Lord Empey played a central role in the negotiations that led to that agreement so if you wish to gain a better understanding of what is at stake, we will gladly facilitate that.

We note that you are going to meet with the leaders of two of Northern Ireland`s political parties. However we would encourage you to consult more widely. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these important issues so you receive a fully representative range of views from across Northern Ireland.

We acknowledge the very significant role the European Union played in the years following the Belfast Agreement to facilitate peace building and are grateful for that, but please don`t undo all that work with what many perceive as reckless statements which undermine the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom and the Belfast Agreement. The negative impact that it could have on community relations in Northern Ireland should not be underestimated.

We encourage everyone to work for a sensible deal, but at the same time I would ask the European Commission to respect both the letter and the spirit of the Belfast Agreement.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Robin Swann MLA, Leader, Ulster Unionist Party

James Nicholson MEP