The UK Prime Minister, Theresa May's Cabinet, has agreed to work on the Brexit draft agreement that was reached with the EU negotiators in Brussels this week.
Ms. Maya told Downing Street reporters that she and her minister had a lengthy, detailed, and enthusiastic debate on the draft contract for withdrawal, and that she believed it was "the best that could be discussed."
After the May announcement, the EU issued a full draft contract. Here we publish pages 302 to 327 for the segment that applies to Northern Ireland.
PROTOCOL ON IRELAND / NORTHERN IRELAND
Union and United Kingdom
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the historical links and long-term nature of the bilateral relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom,
RECALLING that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union poses a significant and unique challenge to the island of Ireland and reaffirming that the achievements, benefits and commitments of the peace process will continue to be crucial for peace, stability and reconciliation;
RECOGNIZING the need to address the specific circumstances of the island of Ireland through a unique solution to ensure that the United Kingdom withdraws from the Union,
RECALLING that the purpose of the withdrawal agreement, based on Article 50 EU, is not to establish a permanent future relationship between the Union and the United Kingdom,
RECALLING that the intention of the Union and the United Kingdom to replace the Northern Ireland Basis Pressure Agreement with a later agreement establishing alternative measures to ensure that there is no solid border on the Irish island;
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the Union and the United Kingdom common goal of achieving a close future relationship leading to the establishment of ambitious customs regimes based on the single customs territory of this Protocol, in full respect of their respective legal procedures,
CONFIRMING that the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of Ireland and the other parties to the Multilateral Agreement ("1998 Agreement"), annexed to the Great Fatherland Convention of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and to the Agreement of 10 April 1998 between Belfast, Vienna, Vienna, on the one hand, ("the United Kingdom-Ireland Agreement" "), including agreements and arrangements for its further implementation, should be protected in all its parts,
RECOGNIZING that cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland is an integral part of the 1998 Agreement and is essential for achieving the amalgamation and normalization of relations on the island of Ireland as well as the withdrawal of the roles, functions and safeguards of the Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland and Sweden by the Assembly and the North and South The Council of Ministers (including the rules on mutual cooperation), as set out in the 1998 Agreement,
NOTING that Union law has provided the basis for the provisions of the 1998 Agreement on rights, guarantees and equal opportunities,
RECOGNIZING that Irish citizens in Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy, enjoy and access rights, opportunities and benefits on the basis of their Union citizenship and that this Protocol must respect and not affect the rights, opportunities and identities of Union citizenship for the people of Northern Ireland who choose to defend their rights the right to Irish nationality as defined in Annex 2 to the "United Kingdom-Ireland Agreement" Declaration on the Provisions of Article 1 (vi) on Citizenship ";
RECALLING the United Kingdom's commitment to the protection of North-South cooperation and to ensure the avoidance of a solid border, including any physical infrastructure or related inspections and controls, and bearing in mind that all future measures must comply with these comprehensive requirements,
NOTING that nothing in this Protocol shall prevent the United Kingdom from ensuring unrestricted access to the market for goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom's internal market,
EMPHASIZING the common objective of the parties to avoid control of Northern Ireland's ports and airports, as far as possible, in accordance with applicable law and, taking into account their respective regulatory regimes, and their implementation,
RECALLING that the Joint Report of the European Union negotiators and the Government of the United Kingdom on progress in the first phase of negotiations, in accordance with Article 50 TEU, on the legal withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 8 December 2017 refers to three different scenarios, the South cooperation and the avoidance of rigid borders, but this protocol is based on the third scenario, which requires full alignment with the Union's internal market rules and the customs union, which now or in the future supports North-South cooperation, the economies of all countries and the protection of the 1998 agreement, when an alternative solution to another scenario is reached;
NOTING that, in accordance with Article 132 of the Agreement, the transitional period may be extended by mutual agreement
RECALLING that both sides have taken mapping measures that show that North-South cooperation is to a large extent based on a common legal and political framework in the European Union,
NOTING that, consequently, the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union poses serious difficulties for the maintenance and development of North-South cooperation,
RECALLING that the United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and supporting future North-South and East-West cooperation covering the entire political, economic, security, social and agricultural context and the framework for cooperation, including the continuation of the implementation of the North Sea by the Institutions
RECOGNIZING the need to implement this Protocol in order to maintain the necessary conditions for the continuation of cooperation between the North and the South, including with regard to possible new measures under the 1998 Agreement,
RECALLING the Union and the United Kingdom's commitment to the North-South PEACE and INTERREG funding programs under the current multiannual financial framework and the maintenance of the current funding ratio for the future program,
ACKNOWLEDGING the United Kingdom's commitment to facilitate the efficient and timely transit of goods through its territory from Ireland to another Member State or another third country, or vice versa,
NOTING that, for the application of this Protocol, the daily life of both the Irish and Northern Ireland communities must be affected as little as possible,
NOTING that Ireland's rights and obligations under the rules of the Union's internal market and customs union must be fully respected,
HAVE AGREED UPON the following provisions, which are annexed to the Agreement for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community ("the Agreement on withdrawal"):
ARTICLE 1
Objectives and relations with the future agreement
1. This Protocol shall be without prejudice to the provisions of the 1998 Agreement concerning the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and the principle of consent, which states that any change in this status may be made only with the consent of the majority of its inhabitants.
2. This Protocol shall respect the United Kingdom's essential national functions and territorial integrity.
3. This Protocol sets out the measures necessary to prevent the unique conditions on the island of Ireland, maintain the necessary conditions for the continuation of cooperation between the North and the South, remove the strict boundary and protect the 1998 Agreement in all its aspects.
4. The purpose of the withdrawal agreement is not to establish a permanent relationship between the Union and the United Kingdom. Therefore, the provisions of this Protocol apply only temporarily, taking into account the obligations of the Parties as set out in Article 2 (1). The provisions of this Protocol shall apply unless and until they are wholly or partly replaced by the subsequent agreement.
ARTICLE 2
Future agreement
1. The Union and the United Kingdom shall use their best endeavors to conclude an agreement replacing, in whole or in part, this Protocol by 31 December 2020.
2. Any subsequent agreement between the Union and the United Kingdom shall indicate the parts of this Protocol which it replaces. After the entry into force of the subsequent Agreement between the Union and the United Kingdom after the entry into force of the Agreement, from the date of application of this Supplementary Agreement, and in accordance with the provisions of that Agreement, which set out the effects of this Protocol, shall not apply or cease to apply, in whole or in part, independently from Article 20.
ARTICLE 3
Extension of the transitional period
The United Kingdom may, at any time by 1 July 2020, request an extension of the transitional period referred to in Article 126 of the Agreement on withdrawal, . If the United Kingdom makes such a request, the transitional period may be extended in accordance with Article 132 of the Withdrawal Agreement.
ARTICLE 4
Private rights
1. The United Kingdom shall ensure that in the part of the 1998 Agreement based on the rights, guarantees and equal opportunities there is no reduction of the rights, guarantees and equal opportunities resulting from its withdrawal from the European Union, including in the area of defense referred to in Article 1 of this Protocol. in the Union legislation listed in the Annex and implements this point through special mechanisms.
2. The United Kingdom continues to promote the work of the institutions and bodies set up under the 1998 Agreement, including the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Northern Ireland Equality Commission and the Joint Committee of representatives of the Human Rights Commissions in Northern Ireland and Ireland, in support of human rights and equality standards.
ARTICLE 5
Common Travel Zone
1. The United Kingdom and Ireland may continue to mutually agree on the movement of persons between their territories ('common travel area'), while fully respecting the rights of natural persons granted by Union law.
2. The United Kingdom shall ensure that the common travel area and related rights and privileges may continue to apply without prejudice to Ireland's obligations under Union law, in particular as regards the free movement of Union citizens and their family members, regardless of their place of residence , from and from Ireland.
ARTICLE 6
Single customs territory, movement of goods
1. A common customs territory between the Union and the United Kingdom (the "single customs territory") shall be established pending the application of future relations. Accordingly, Northern Ireland is located in the same customs territory as the United Kingdom.
The common customs territory includes:
(a) the customs territory of the Union as defined in Article 1 of Regulation (EU) No Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 952/2013; and
(b) the United Kingdom customs territory.
The rules set out in Annex 2 to this Protocol shall apply to trade in all goods between the territories referred to in the second subparagraph and, where applicable, between the common customs territory and third countries. In order to ensure the maintenance of the uniform conditions of the rules of the game necessary for the proper functioning of this paragraph, the rules set out in Annex 4 to this Protocol shall apply. Where appropriate, the Joint Committee may amend Annex 4 in order to develop higher standards with regard to these conditions of equal competition.
The Joint Committee shall, by 1 July 2020, adopt detailed rules for trade in goods between the two parts of the customs territory for the purpose of implementing this paragraph. If such a decision is not taken before 1 July 2020, Annex 3 shall apply.
By way of derogation from the third subparagraph, the rules set out in Annexes 2 and 4 and the provisions referred to in the fourth subparagraph shall not apply to fishery and aquaculture products set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 1379/2013 ("Fisheries and aquaculture products"), provided that the Union and the United Kingdom has no agreement on access to waters and fishing opportunities. In accordance with Article 184 of the Agreement on cancellation, the Union and the United Kingdom make every effort to conclude and ratify such an agreement by 1 July 2020.
The Joint Committee may take decisions amending Annex 3 to this Protocol where such amendments are necessary for the proper functioning of this paragraph. Such decisions shall not modify the essential elements of this Protocol or of the Cancellation Contract.
The second subparagraph of this paragraph is without prejudice to the special arrangements provided for in the Protocol on the sovereign bases of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Cyprus.
2. Legislation as defined in Regulation (EU) No … / … of the European Parliament and of the Council. Article 5 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 952/2013 applies to the United Kingdom and to Northern Ireland (excluding United Kingdom territorial waters). However, the Joint Committee shall determine the conditions, including the quantitative provisions, under which fishery and aquaculture products brought into the customs territory of the Union as defined in Regulation (EU) No … / …. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 952/2013, for vessels flying the United Kingdom and registered in Northern Ireland, are exempt from tax.
Union law listed in Annex 5 to this Protocol shall also apply, in accordance with the conditions set out therein, in the United Kingdom for Northern Ireland.
Articles 30 and 110 of the TFEU apply to the United Kingdom and to Northern Ireland.
Quantitative restrictions on exports and imports are prohibited between the Union and Northern Ireland.
ARTICLE 7
Protection of the UK internal market
1. Nothing in this Protocol shall prevent the United Kingdom from providing unrestricted access to the market for goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom's internal market.
The provisions of Union law applicable to this Protocol which prohibit or restrict the export of goods shall apply only to trade between the territories referred to in Article 6 (1), in so far as this is strictly enshrined in the Union's international obligations. The United Kingdom provides full protection for the international requirements and obligations relating to the export of Union goods from third countries as defined by Union law.
2. In view of the integral part of the United Kingdom's internal market in the United Kingdom, the Union and the United Kingdom shall use their best endeavors to facilitate, in accordance with applicable law and subject to their respective regulatory regimes, and their implementation, trade between the part of the territory of the United Kingdom to which the Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 in accordance with Article 6 (2) and other parts of the territory of the United Kingdom. The Joint Committee shall continuously review the application of this paragraph and adopt appropriate recommendations to remove as far as possible control of Northern Ireland's ports and airports.
3. Nothing in this Protocol shall prevent the placing on the market of a product originating in Northern Ireland on the market originating in Great Britain as originating in the United Kingdom.
4. Nothing in this Protocol shall affect the laws of the United Kingdom governing the placing on the market of other goods in the United Kingdom of northern Ireland which meet or receive technical regulations, assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals or authorizations governed by Union law listed in Annex 5.
Article 8
Technical regulations, ratings, registrations, certificates, approvals and permissions
1. Without prejudice to the Union legislation referred to in Annex 5, the lawfulness of the market for the placing on the market of Northern Ireland is governed by United Kingdom legislation, as well as for goods imported from the Union, Articles 34 and 36 TFEU.
2. Where the Union law applicable to this Protocol provides for the indication of a Member State, including in abridged form, as a mark, marking, marking or any other means, the United Kingdom shall refer to Northern Ireland as "UK (NI)" or "United Kingdom ( Northern Ireland)". Where the provisions of Union law applicable to this Protocol provide for an indication in the form of a numerical code, the United Kingdom shall indicate a different numerical code for Northern Ireland.
3. By way of derogation from Article 15 (1) of this Protocol and Article 7 of the Cancellation Contract, in respect of the recognition of technical regulations, assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals and authorizations granted by an institution in one Member State in another Member State or in another Member State, the provisions of this Protocol shall not be deemed to be United Kingdom's obligations with regard to Northern Ireland with regard to technical regulations, assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals and authorizations issued by the United Kingdom authorities or entities established in the United Kingdom.
The first subparagraph shall not apply to registered, certified, approved and approved territories, facilities or premises in Northern Ireland by the competent authorities of the United Kingdom, where registration, certification, approval or authorization may require a site, facility or premises.
The first subparagraph shall not apply to veterinary certificates and official labels of plant material laid down in Union law applicable under this Protocol.
The first subparagraph shall be without prejudice to assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals and authorizations in Northern Ireland on the basis of the legislation of the Union which this Protocol applies, the bodies designated by the United Kingdom or the United Kingdom. Any mark of conformity, logo or similar information provided for in Union legislation applicable to this Protocol, affixed by merchants on the basis of an assessment, registration, certificate, approval or authorization issued by the competent authorities of the United Kingdom, or the authorities registered in the United Kingdom, shall be accompanied by the words " UK (NI). "
The United Kingdom may not, in respect of Northern Ireland, institute opposition, safeguard or arbitration proceedings provided for by Union law applicable to this Protocol in so far as these procedures concern technical regulations, standards, assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals and authorizations issued by the competent authorities of a Member State, or bodies established in the Member States.
The first subparagraph shall not prevent a Northern Ireland qualified person from being investigated in Northern Ireland and placing a medicinal product imported or manufactured in Northern Ireland.
ARTICLE 9
VAT and excise duty The Union legislation on goods listed in Annex 6 to this Protocol applies to the United Kingdom for Northern Ireland.
The Joint Committee shall regularly discuss the implementation of this Article and, if necessary, take the necessary steps to apply it properly.
ARTICLE 10
Agriculture and the environment
Union law listed in Annex 5 to this Protocol shall apply, in accordance with the conditions laid down therein, in the United Kingdom for Northern Ireland.
ARTICLE 11
The Union Electricity Market Union legislation governing the wholesale electricity markets listed in Annex 7 to this Protocol shall, in accordance with the conditions laid down therein, be applied in the United Kingdom in respect of
from Northern Ireland.
ARTICLE 12
State aid
1. The Union legislation listed in Annex 8 to this Protocol shall apply to the United Kingdom, including measures to support the production and marketing of agricultural products in Northern Ireland, with regard to measures affecting trade between that part of the territory of the United Kingdom to which the Regulation applies ( EU) No 952/2013, in accordance with Article 6 (2) of this Protocol and the Union to which this Protocol applies.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the Union legislation referred to in this paragraph shall not apply to measures taken by the United Kingdom authorities to support the production and marketing of agricultural products in Northern Ireland up to a maximum total annual level and provided that the minimum percentage laid down in this exempted aid complies with the provisions of Annex 2 to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.
The determination of the maximum annual amount of aid and the minimum percentage of the maximum aid exempted shall be determined in accordance with the procedures set out in Annex 9.
3. If the European Commission verifies information from the United Kingdom authorities on a measure that may constitute unlawful aid covered by paragraph 1, it shall ensure that the United Kingdom is fully and regularly informed about the progress and outcome of this measure.
The European Commission and the independent authority referred to in Article 9 of Annex 4 shall determine the administrative arrangements necessary for the proper implementation of this Article and, as appropriate, Annex 4, Part 4, and shall review this procedure.
ARTICLE 13
Other North-South cooperation areas
1. In accordance with Article 6 (2) and Articles 7 to 12 of this Protocol, The provisions set out in this article, in full compliance with Union law, are implemented and applied in such a way as to preserve the necessary conditions for the continuation of the North-South, including in the areas of environment, health, agriculture, transport, education and tourism, as well as energy, telecommunications, broadcasting, inland fishing , justice and security, higher education and sports.
In full compliance with Union law, the United Kingdom and Ireland may continue to take new measures based on the provisions of the 1998 Agreement in other areas of cooperation between the North-South Islands on the island of Ireland.
2. The Joint Committee shall continuously review the extent to which the implementation and application of this Protocol maintain the necessary conditions for cooperation between the North and the South.
To this end, the Joint Committee may make appropriate recommendations to the Union and the United Kingdom, including on the recommendation of the specialized committee.
ARTICLE 14
Implementation, application, monitoring and enforcement
1. Notwithstanding paragraph 4, the authorities of the United Kingdom shall be responsible for the implementation and application of the provisions of Union law applicable to this Protocol in respect of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.
2. Without prejudice to paragraph 4, Union representatives shall have the right to be present at, and upon request, all relevant information concerning any action of the United Kingdom authorities relating to the implementation and application of the provisions of Union law which apply to this Protocol. The United Kingdom facilitates the presence of these Union representatives and provides them with the information requested. When a representative of the Union requests the United Kingdom authorities to carry out individual controls on duly justified grounds, the United Kingdom authorities shall take these control measures.
3. The practical arrangements relating to the exercise of the rights of the representatives of the Union referred to in paragraph 2 shall be determined by the Joint Committee on a proposal from the specialized committee.
4. With regard to Articles 6 (2) and 8 to 12 of this Protocol, and to Article 7 (1) of Annex 4 to this Protocol, with regard to measures taken by Member States, institutions, organizations and offices. The institutions of the Union in respect of the United Kingdom and natural and legal persons residing or established in the territory of the United Kingdom shall have the powers conferred upon them by Union law. In particular, the Court of Justice of the European Union shall have jurisdiction, as provided for in the Treaties on this matter. In this respect, the second and third paragraphs of Article 267 TFEU apply in the United Kingdom.
5. Acts of the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies adopted pursuant to paragraph 4 shall, in respect of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom, produce the same legal effects as those which they produce in the Union and its Member States.
6. In representing or assisting the party in administrative procedures arising from the exercise of the powers of the Union institutions, bodies and agencies referred to in paragraph 4, lawyers authorized to practice in a court of law or tribunals in the United Kingdom shall in all cases be considered as lawyers authorized to practice in court or tribunals
Member States representing or assisting the party in relation to such administrative procedures.
7. In cases brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union in accordance with paragraph 4:
(a) the United Kingdom may participate in proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union in the same way as a Member State;
(b) lawyers authorized to practice in United Kingdom courts or tribunals may represent or assist a party to the Court of Justice of the European Union in such proceedings and in all respects consider them as lawyers authorized to practice in a court of law or tribunals representing or assisting a party to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
ARTICLE 15
Common rules
1. For the purposes of this Protocol, any reference to the United Kingdom in the relevant provisions of the withdrawal agreement shall be understood as referring respectively to the United Kingdom or the United Kingdom as regards Northern Ireland.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Protocol, any reference in the applicable provisions of the Agreement on cancellation and this Protocol, as well as the provisions of Union law applicable in this Protocol to Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom with regard to Northern Ireland, so that the provisions of Regulation (EU) No. The territory defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 952/2013 shall be deemed to include the part of the territory of the United Kingdom to which, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 applies
Article 6 (2) of this Protocol.
For the purposes of the first subparagraph of Article 6 (1), the term "customs territory" shall have the same meaning as in Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.
Part Three, Title I and III, and the sixth paragraph shall apply without prejudice to the provisions of this Protocol.
2. For the purposes of Article 6 (1) of this Protocol:
– "third country" means a country or territory which does not fall within the customs territories referred to in Article 6 (1) of this Protocol;
– "part of the unified customs territory" means, on the one hand, the customs territory of the Union as defined in Article 1 of Regulation (EU) No. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 952/2013 and, on the other, the customs territory of the United Kingdom.
3. Without prejudice to Articles 4 (4) and 4 (5) of the Agreement on withdrawal, the provisions of this Protocol relating to Union law or concepts or rules shall, in their implementation and application, be interpreted in accordance with the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Ministry of Justice of the European Union .
4. Notwithstanding Article 6 (1) of the Agreement on withdrawal, and unless otherwise specified, where reference is made to the act of the Union in this Protocol, the reference to this act shall be construed as being made to it as amended or replaced.
5. If the Union adopts a new law falling within the scope of this Protocol but does not amend or replace the Union act referred to in the Annexes to this Protocol, the Union shall inform the United Kingdom of its acceptance in the Joint Committee. At the request of the Union or of the United Kingdom, the Joint Committee shall, within 6 weeks of the request, exchange views on the effects of the recently adopted act on the proper functioning of this Protocol.
As soon as it is reasonably practicable after the Union has informed the United Kingdom in the Joint Committee, the Joint Committee shall:
(a) adopt a decision adding a newly adopted act to the relevant Annex to this Protocol; or
(b) Unless it is possible to reach an agreement on the addition of an annexed instrument to the relevant Annex to this Protocol, to explore all possible options to maintain the proper functioning of this Protocol and to take any necessary decisions.
If the Joint Committee does not take a decision within a reasonable time, the Union, after submitting its notification, has the right to take appropriate corrective measures. Such measures shall take effect not earlier than six months after the Union has informed the United Kingdom in accordance with the first subparagraph, but in no case earlier than the date on which the newly adopted legislation is introduced in the Union.
6. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this article and from Article 7 of the withdrawal agreement, unless the Union considers that the United Kingdom or the United Kingdom has access, in whole or in part, to Northern Ireland, as the case may be, it is absolutely necessary for the United Kingdom to fulfill its obligations under This Protocol applies, inter alia, to the fact that the working group referred to in Article 17 of this Protocol or any other practical means can not facilitate access to the relevant information, the following provisions shall apply: in the case of access to any network, information system or database established on the basis of Union law, references to the Member States and the competent authorities of the Member States in the provisions of the law of the Union, as applicable in this case, shall not be read as including United Kingdom or the United Kingdom in the case of Northern Ireland.
7. The authorities of the United Kingdom shall not act as the leading authority for the risk assessments, examinations, approvals and authorization procedures provided for in this law by the Union law.
8. Articles 346 and 347 of the TFEU shall apply to this Protocol as regards measures taken by a Member State or the United Kingdom in relation to Northern Ireland.
ARTICLE 16
Specialized Committee
The Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland established by Article 165 of the Withdrawal Agreement (“Specialised Committee”) shall:
(a) facilitate the implementation and application of this Protocol;
(b) examine proposals concerning the implementation and application of this Protocol from the North-South Ministerial Council and North-South Implementation bodies set up under the 1998 Agreement;
(c) consider any matter of relevance to Article 4 of this Protocol brought to its attention by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and the Joint Committee of representatives of the Human Rights Commissions of Northern Ireland and Ireland;
(d) discuss any point raised by the Union or the United Kingdom that is of relevance to this Protocol and gives rise to a difficulty; and
(e) make recommendations to the Joint Committee as regards the functioning of this Protocol.
ARTICLE 17
Joint consultative working group
1. A joint consultative working group on the implementation of the Protocol is hereby established. It shall serve as a forum for the exchange of information and mutual consultation.
2. The working group shall be composed of representatives of the Union and the United Kingdom and shall carry out its functions under the supervision of the Specialised Committee, to which it shall report. The working group shall have no power to take binding decisions other than that referred to in paragraph 6.
3. Within the working group:
(a) the Union and the United Kingdom shall, in a timely manner, exchange information about planned, ongoing and final relevant implementation measures in relation to the Union acts listed in the Annexes to this Protocol;
(b) the Union shall inform the United Kingdom about planned Union acts within the scope of this Protocol, including those amending or replacing the Union acts listed in the Annexes to this Protocol;
(c) the Union shall provide to the United Kingdom all information the Union considers relevant to allow the United Kingdom to fully comply with its obligations under the Protocol; and
(d) the United Kingdom shall provide to the Union all information that Member States provide to one another or the Union institutions, bodies, offices or agencies pursuant to the Union acts listed in the Annexes to this Protocol.
4. The working group shall be co-chaired by the Union and the United Kingdom.
5. The working group shall meet at least once a month, unless otherwise decided by the Union and the United Kingdom by mutual consent. Where necessary, information referred to in points (c)
and (d) of paragraph 3 can be exchanged between meetings.
6. The working group shall adopt its own rules of procedure by mutual consent.
7. The Union shall ensure that all views expressed and information (including technical and scientific data) provided by the United Kingdom in the working group are communicated to the relevant Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies without undue delay.
Source link
