Northern Ireland Protocol is ‘Achilles heel’ to UK-EU relations, says Germany foreign minister Annalena Baerbock

Annalena Baerbock's appeal to find a solution to the deadlock over the Northern Ireland Protocol came as she was due to meet Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday to discuss support for Ukraine and the UK's relationship with Germany.

In a statement ahead of her visit, she said: "To this day, the Achilles heel of our relations, as the EU, with the United Kingdom is the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"It is key that we find a responsible and pragmatic solution for Northern Ireland, on the basis of existing agreements.

"It is the only way we will realise the full potential of our partnership.

"At the same time, as we engage in our new relationship, we are under an obligation to get the very best results for those who are directly affected.

"While we cannot turn back the clock, we can decide to step forward into a good common future."

The DUP has refused to co-operate with forming a devolved Executive in Stormont until issues with the protocol are resolved.

The UK and EU continue to discuss the protocol, while the Government maintains it could use the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to unilaterally overhaul the arrangement if negotiations fail.

Ms Baerbock said her visit to London "is about jointly looking to the future after Brexit".

Afterwards, Mr Cleverly said “we are not going to wait for an anniversary” to try and resolve with the European Union issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

He was speaking at a press conference in Lancaster House after what officials described as the first UK-Germany strategic dialogue, and was asked if he was hopeful that a compromise on the Northern Ireland Protocol can be found before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

“There is definitely, definitely a desire in the UK and across the EU to get a resolution on this,” Mr Cleverly said.

He added: “We’re not going to wait for an anniversary, we are working on this with all speed and alacrity as you would expect, and we will continue to work intensively towards a resolution on the issues that we have raised and indeed looking to address the concerns that the Commission has raised as well.”