Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade arrangements are the "Achilles heel" to continuing relations between the European Union and the UK, Germany's foreign minister has said.
Annalena Baerbock's appeal to find a solution to the deadlock over the Northern Ireland Protocol came as she was due to meet British foreign secretary James Cleverly yesterday 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.
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"While we cannot turn back the clock, we can decide to step forward into a good common future."
The protocol aims to prevent a hard border on this island.
However, members of the unionist community are unhappy with the difficulties it creates for trade between the North and Great Britain. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has refused to co-operate in relation to forming a devolved Executive in Stormont until issues with the agreement are resolved. The UK and EU are continuing to discuss the protocol, while the British 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".
She added: "We will be meeting for our first German-UK Strategic Dialogue, through which we aim to make our partnership fit for the future."
