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<p>From the outset of the negotiations the Prime Minister has been clear that there
should be no return to the borders of the past, and that maintaining an open, seamless
border has been the cornerstone for the success of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
That is why the December Joint Report made clear that the UK would avoid a hard border,
including any physical infrastructure or related checks and controls.</p><p>Last week,
the Government published a Written Ministerial Statement noting that joint UK-EU work
on alternative arrangements will be an important strand of the next phase of negotiations.
In anticipation of this, and to ensure that the UK is ready to move at pace in the
next phase, the Government is putting in place the UK’s arrangements to support this
work, with a team drawing in all the relevant departments including DExEU, HMT, HMRC,
BEIS, DEFRA, Home Office, and the NIO. This will report directly to the UK’s negotiating
team.</p><p> </p>
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