The EU expressed confidence that it could agree to further postpone the imminent restrictions on the transportation of meat products across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland, as Brussels vowed to consider “bold steps” to resolve some of the problems created by Brexit in the EU. area.

Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner in charge of relations with the United Kingdom, said he believes the three-month grace period can be extended before the restrictions take effect. Export of cold fresh meat products From the UK to Northern Ireland.

Speaking to members of the Stormont Legislative Assembly in Belfast, Sefcovic said that the European Union wanted to help solve the barriers to access to medicines in Northern Ireland, which showed that the European Commission can legislate to solve this problem if necessary.

His remarks came as the two sides sought to ease tensions arising from the implementation of the Northern Ireland Agreement on the EU-UK withdrawal agreement. Earlier this month, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned at the G7 summit that unless the EU stops dealing with the issue in a “theologically severe” manner, he will not hesitate to suspend part of the Brexit agreement.

But the two sides have been working hard to find solutions to some key stimulus factors. The Northern Ireland Agreement avoids the restoration of the North-South trade border in Ireland, but new inspections have been carried out on goods shipped from the UK to Northern Ireland to ensure that they do not only pass through the region and enter the EU single market.

In his speech on Monday, Sefcovic insisted that the EU is demonstrating “pragmatism” and all parties need to take all necessary measures to “eliminate” speech about the agreement. He is “confident” that he will find a solution within the next 48 hours that can extend the deadline for cold storage of meat.

He said that the EU is also stepping up its efforts on other issues, including “measures to continue the supply of medicines to Northern Ireland.” The agreement creates barriers to the sale of drugs manufactured in the UK in Northern Ireland, unless they also have the necessary EU regulatory approval and licensing arrangements.

“I know this is very sensitive, and for me, solving this very important problem is also very important,” Sefcovic added. “If the British government shows a clear and specific commitment to the full implementation of the agreement, we are willing to consider taking bold measures.”

The EU has repeatedly complained that Britain has not fulfilled all its commitments under the Protocol.

Sefcovic added that it is not easy to find a solution to the supply of medicines because it may require legislative reforms, but he added: “We want to ensure that citizens of NI have full access to all the medicines they need, and we are ready to move forward quickly.”

British officials also said they are “cautiously optimistic” about the possibility of reaching an agreement on frozen meat before the Wednesday deadline, and welcomed Sevkovic’s constructive tone.

They stated that the current focus is to extend the grace period for the trade of sausages, ground beef and other chilled meat products, but Sefcovic’s comments on the medicines are also welcome.

“There are discussions with Brussels on a technical level,” said an ally of the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis. “There is a cautious optimism – there is some progress in the right direction.”

Sefcovic added that he ultimately wants to ensure that inspections of trade between the UK and Northern Ireland are “reduced to the absolute minimum (as possible)”.

He added: “Ultimately, our job is to ensure that the peace and stability of NI are protected, while maintaining the integrity of the European Union single market… At the same time, it also minimizes the impact on the daily lives of NI citizens.”