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London and Brussels have secured a breakthrough in the corrosive dispute over Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading relations, clearing the way for a new push to resolve the longstanding issue.

After months of deadlock and acrimony, the UK and EU issued a joint statement proclaiming a tentative deal that would give Brussels access to the UK’s IT systems for trade across the Irish Sea.

The statement described the talks between James Cleverly, UK foreign secretary, and Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission vice-president, as “cordial and constructive”. An EU official said: “It’s looking good.”

Cleverly and Šefčovič will meet again on January 16, with EU and UK officials hoping the two sides could agree shortly afterwards to enter a final negotiating “tunnel” to resolve significant outstanding issues.

https://www.ft.com/content/e8244ef7-...e-2910e70294ca