NI Protocol: Here’s how the ‘final talks’ between Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen could go

• Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen are due to meet late midday in Berkshire.
• Cabinet ministers will be briefed on the progress of the talks.
• The prime minister will then address Lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will meet today for “final talks” on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Downing Street announced the meeting details as the prime minister and president are due to meet late midday in Berkshire to discuss the Brexit accord.

In the afternoon, Cabinet ministers will be briefed on the progress of the talks.

Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen will make a brief joint news conference in the late afternoon if a final agreement is reached.

The prime minister will then address Lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Downing Street said Mr. Sunak “wants to ensure any deal fixes the practical problems on the ground, ensures trade flows freely within the whole of the UK, safeguards Northern Ireland’s place in our Union, and returns sovereignty to the people of Northern Ireland.”

“Over the past few months, there have been intensive negotiations with the EU – run by British ministers – and positive, constructive progress has been made,” Downing Street said.

“There have been hundreds of hours of talks covering all issues at stake and talking from first principles – what works for Northern Ireland.”

In a joint statement released by Mr. Sunak and Ms von der Leyen on Sunday, they “agreed to continue their work in person towards shared, practical solutions for the range of complex challenges around the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland”.

It comes after Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told Sky News that Britain is “on the cusp of a deal” to resolve the long-running dispute.

Canceled meeting with the King

Ms von der Leyen was scheduled to visit the United Kingdom on Saturday to meet with Mr. Sunak and the King at Windsor Castle, but the trip was canceled.

Mr. Sunak has stated that his government is “giving it everything” to get an agreement on the Protocol.

“There’s unfinished business on Brexit and I want to get the job done,” the prime minister told The sources, adding that he would work all weekend to nail down revised terms.

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