I think Ambassador Almeida was echoing Vice President Maroš Šefčovič in using the "upside down and inside out" soundbite - he used the same language in a press statement the day before (June 30th), where he unveiled a list of 'practical solutions' proposed to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol.
Turning to the second part of our package: we have put together a
significant set of practical solutions, helping implement the Protocol
and facilitating the everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland.
On medicines – something I personally take very seriously in this time
of pandemic – the Commission will table a legislative proposal in the
early autumn that will secure their continued, long-term supply from
Great Britain to Northern Ireland. This would allow for instance, for
the continued availability of generic medicines in Northern Ireland –
something of particular importance to the NHS. We have also identified
a solution to ease the movement of guide dogs accompanying persons
travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Similarly, we will
simplify the movement of livestock, by removing the need for
re-tagging when animals move multiple times between Great Britain and
Northern Ireland. Lastly, drivers from the UK will no longer need to
show the motor insurance Green Card when entering the EU, and this
waiver will be particularly helpful for Northern Irish motorists
crossing the border into Ireland. I am convinced that these
forthcoming solutions are a true testament to our commitment to the
people of Northern Ireland and to the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement.
They are also an unquestionable response to those in the UK suggesting
that the EU is inflexible or too legalistic. Because in some cases,
notably on medicines, we have completely turned our rules upside down
and inside out to find a solid solution to an outstanding challenge.
These solutions are outlined in more detail here, and although the legislative proposals don't seem to have been published yet, the outline gives some indication of the EU's proposals.
In particular, on medicines:
The Commission has identified a creative solution to ensure the
continued long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern
Ireland. The solution involves the EU changing its own rules so that
regulatory compliance functions for medicines authorised by the UK for
the Northern Ireland market, in accordance with the Protocol, may be
located in Great Britain, subject to specific conditions ensuring that
the medicines concerned are not further distributed in the EU Internal
Market. The Commission will put forward a legislative proposal in the
early autumn in order to be able to finish the legislative process on
time.
