I have met with UK Minister of State David Frost on a number of occasions in the last year, most recently in September, at the meeting of the British Irish Association in Oxford. I have also discussed the Protocol in meetings with other UK ministers, including with the UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss on 13 October and the Minister for Europe and Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Wendy Morton, on 1 October. The issue has also been regularly raised by other Ministers in recent contacts with UK counterparts.
In all contacts with UK ministers and officials, I have emphasised the importance of avoiding any actions that would have far-reaching implications for both the EU-UK relationship and, in turn, our bilateral relationship. The European Commission has acted in good faith. A good faith response is required from the United Kingdom Government. I have called on the UK Government to engage seriously and constructively in talks with the EU so that we can provide stability and predictability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland.
Discussions between the EU and UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol including between David Frost and Maros Šefcovic are ongoing and it is important that we give these talks every chance to succeed. Our aim is to see a positive outcome to these discussions.
The Government keeps the outworkings of the Withdrawal Agreement including the Protocol and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement under on-going review and, as we have done throughout the Brexit process, we will remain fully engaged with stakeholders and support businesses as they continue to navigate the Brexit challenges.
I remain in regular contact with business, civic society and political stakeholders in Northern Ireland and I am very aware of their views about the opportunities that the Protocol offers for Northern Ireland, giving them access to both the UK as well as the EU internal markets. Surveys show that two-thirds of NI businesses see the opportunity in this. We are seeing historically high FDI interest in Northern Ireland. We need to use the Protocol to deliver on a prosperity agenda for the people of Northern Ireland. Realising these opportunities, as our economies build back from the impact of Covid, should be the focus of our energy at this time.
