The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, is a peace agreement signed on April 10, 1998, that ended three decades of violence and political turmoil in Northern Ireland. One of the key provisions of the agreement was the establishment of an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which has become a critical issue in the ongoing Brexit negotiations.
The open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is seen as a crucial element of the peace agreement, as it has helped to reduce tensions and promote cooperation between the two sides. However, the UK`s decision to leave the European Union has created a potential threat to this border, as it could lead to the reintroduction of customs and immigration controls.
The issue of the border has become one of the key sticking points in the Brexit negotiations, with the EU insisting that the UK must come up with an acceptable solution before a deal can be reached. The EU has proposed a “backstop” arrangement that would keep Northern Ireland in the EU customs union and single market, but this has been rejected by the UK government and the Democratic Unionist Party, which supports the government.
Many people in Northern Ireland fear that the reintroduction of a hard border could lead to a return to violence and instability, and there have been calls for the Good Friday Agreement to be protected. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has promised that there will be no return to a hard border, but it remains to be seen what form the final Brexit deal will take.
In conclusion, the Good Friday Agreement has been a vital factor in maintaining peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is a key element of this agreement. The Brexit negotiations have brought this issue to the forefront, and it is essential that a solution is found that preserves the Good Friday Agreement and avoids a return to violence and instability.