He said: “I acknowledge that the concerns of the unionist community are sincere, but I indicated as well that the mechanisms are there in the UK-EU trade agreement to resolve these issues and the issues around the Protocol.<\/p>\n “Our sense has been that the EU Commission has been flexible and ready to respond to the situation.<\/p>\n “We do need to see similar flexibility from the UK Government side.”<\/p>\n Just 24 hours earlier, the Irish chief also received further reassurances over the Protocol from French President Emmanuel Macron.<\/p>\n President Macron stressed the EU continue to support Ireland and honour agreements signed in the Brexit deal.<\/p>\n The 43-year-old travelled to Ireland as part of an election pledge to visit all 27 EU member states.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n President Macron said: “It is an existential issue for the solidarity and the unity of the European Union.<\/p>\n “So we will make sure that the agreements that are signed after very lengthy negotiations will be complied with when it comes to fisheries, or some well-known protocols.”<\/p>\n Following talks with Mr Martin, he added: “For me, the European Union remains, first and foremost of political project, and we will stand by you.”<\/p>\n The Northern Ireland Protocol ties Belfast to the EU regulatory framework and has disrupted trade with the rest of Great Britain.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n British firms have been subject to additional red-tape when sending goods via Northern Ireland – rules UK negotiators argue are excessive.<\/p>\n The new arrangements include rigorous checks on chilled meats, which threatened to ignite a so-called sausage-war earlier this year.<\/p>\n A ceasefire between the two sides was agreed at the end of June and a three-month grace period on checks was finalised until the end of September.<\/p>\n Brexit Minister Lord David Frost and European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic have been tasked with finding a solution.<\/p>\n Last month, Lord Frost said the UK and EU “cannot go on as we are” with the current Northern Ireland Protocol arrangements.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n DON’T MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n Nigel Farage in heated Brexit independence clash with Hitchens<\/span><\/span> [INSIGHT]<\/strong>![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/Ireland-brexit-1483109.jpg?r=1630098502169\")
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Kate and William to steer Royal Family from London until Queen returns<\/span><\/span> [LIVE[]<\/strong>
UK weather forecast: Summer not over! 30C sizzling heat to return<\/span><\/span> [FORECAST]<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Brexit-news-3222679.jpg?r=1630098507401\")
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