The United Kingdom and European Union negotiators have reached an agreement in principle on a new New Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and Political Declaration.

The new Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union, with changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol to remove the so-called backstop and replace it with arrangements that meet the Government’s objectives. The new Political Declaration sets out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom and reflects the Government’s ambition to conclude an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible free trade agreement with the EU, accompanied by a comprehensive and balanced security partnership. These new versions of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and Political Declaration, that reflect the outcome of negotiations between the UK and the EU, were presented to the October European Council that took place from 17-18 October 2019.