German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has described the disputes surrounding the Northern Ireland protocol as the "Achilles heel" of European Union (EU) relations with the UK. Ahead of her meeting with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Baerbock called for a "responsible and pragmatic solution" to the issues surrounding the Northern Ireland protocol based on existing agreements.
She emphasised that finding a solution is a key criteria in realising the full potential of the partnership between the UK and EU.
The Guardian and The Independent both report on the meeting between the two foreign secretaries with a focus on the discussions surrounding the Northern Ireland protocol.
The Guardian notes the "deadlock" surrounding implementation of the protocol, while The Independent highlights the potential consequences of the protocol for future relations between the UK and the EU. The Guardian quotes Baerbock stating that the issue is the "Achilles heel" of UK-EU relations while The Independent emphasises Baerbock's call for a "responsible and pragmatic solution" to the protocol.
Both sources also mention the discussions surrounding the UK's relationship with Germany and support for Ukraine during the meeting.
Baerbock emphasised the importance of finding the best results for those affected by the UK-EU relationship.
The Guardian also notes the context of the meeting, which comes at a time of tension following Brexit and as the UK seeks to establish its place in the world post-Brexit.