You’ve got this all wrong T. The EC aren’t looking for pragmatic solutions such as this, they are looking for insurmountable obstacles.
Good answer. It moves authority from the actual signatories, Ireland and the UK and places it with a third party (the EU). This was never agreed in or covered by the GFA, as far as I can tell.
I’m fairly sure someone, a good while ago, in this thread (or one of the others it was merged with) said that the U.K. won’t leave the EU and the reason will be because of the ‘backstop’. Can’t remember who. If this becomes the case, where does it leave members of the EU - a similar problem would arise for most wouldn’t it, once you’re in the club that’s it, you can’t leave. Bit like gym memberships.
No, the Irish border issue is fairly unique because if it's particular history. Switzerland seems to manage ok for instance (they didn't leave but are surrounded)
Alan - no empire in history was created by having an open-door, be a part of the empire or not, your choice approach. But you knew this when you posted, you scally.
If Switzerland didn’t already exist the EC would have to invent it. You need somewhere to obscure where the money goes.
Strictly not: ‘The relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) are framed by a series of bilateral treaties whereby the Swiss Confederation has adopted various provisions of European Union law in order to participate in the Union's single market, without joining as a member state.’. But in practise yes.
I am being naughty here, Darkness. I know that Switzerland does not consider itself to be in the EU but that view is not shared by the EU itself. Hence the attempts recently by the EU to disrupt the Swiss economy when the Swiss had the temerity to question certain demands from the EU. Good times.
I keep reading that: ‘If Brexit happens, the 310-mile Irish border will represent the only land border between the UK and the EU.’ What about Gibraltar?
I had to cross the border from La Linea to Gibraltar and back one time. What a nightmare that was. Way too hot.
I suppose the UK (post Brexit) could consider Ireland as separate from the EU and continue frictionless trade across the border with NI. I mean, that's only the same as the EU are proposing to do, but the other way round
