EU calls for mutual compromise in implementing Northern Ireland Protocol

European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic on Friday called for compromise from Britain and the European Union (EU) in the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol ,reported Xinhua.

Sefcovic made the comment when speaking at Queen's University in Belfast during his two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

Sefcovic said the overarching priority has always been the people of Northern Ireland and the protection of the peace process.

"As you know, the UK published their command paper on July 21. And we have been engaging constructively with our UK partners on what can be done to limit the impact of the protocol on everyday life in Northern Ireland, while maintaining its access to the EU's single market," he said.

"The EU and the UK must continue these discussions in order to reach an understanding," he said.

Northern Ireland is at the center of the post-Brexit trade dispute between Britain the EU.

As part of the Brexit deal, the Northern Ireland Protocol stipulates that Northern Ireland remains in the EU single market and customs union to avoid a hard border between the region and the Republic of Ireland. However, this leads to a new "regulatory" border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson said on Thursday that the full impact of the protocol has not yet been felt partly because of the grace period, and warned against any future additional checks at the ports in region that arise from the protocol.