SENIOR EU figures have joined politicians across Ireland in urging new Tory leader Liz Truss to foster a "constructive relationship" with Brussels amid concern that the incoming British prime minister may escalate the current crisis by triggering Article 16.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and vice-president Maros Sefcovic yesterday both congratulated Ms Truss on her victory in the Conservative Party leadership race, but stressed that they expected her to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol in full.
They insisted their position on the contentious post-Brexit trade arrangements, which have led to a DUP boycott of the Stormont institutions, had not changed "one iota".
During the Tory leadership campaign there were reports that within days of entering No 10 Ms Truss planned to trigger Article 16 - an option for either side if they believe the protocol is causing "serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist" or diversion of trade.
The British government has until September 15 to respond to legal proceedings launched against it by the EU for failing to implement proper Irish Sea border checks.
The action was in response to Westminster legislation that would empower ministers to unilaterally scrap parts of the protocol, a move the EU believes would breach international law.
"The EU and the UK are partners," Ms von der Leyen tweeted after Ms Truss was confirmed as successor to Boris Johnson.
"We face many challenges together, from climate change to Russia's invasion of Ukraine."
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said it was possible for Ms Truss to achieve a "sensible compromise" on the protocol if she was prepared to soften her approach.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald urged the new British prime minister to engage with the EU without delay.
She said she had sought a meeting with the new Tory leader and that she would be briefing US politicians on developments this week.
"Relationships between Ireland and Britain must be rebuilt on the basis of good faith and respect for international law," she said.
