Barnier wants EU to step back from vaccine war with Britain -The Times

Barnier's intervention came after the EU on Friday sought to restrict exports of COVID-19 vaccines through the Irish border to the UK by invoking emergency clauses in the Brexit divorce deal. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his "grave concerns" to EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen over Brussels' attempts to restrict the export of the vaccines to Northern Ireland, his office said.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said he wants Brussels to step back from a deepening row with Britain over the shortage of vaccines in Europe, The Times reported.

Michel Barnier called for a "spirit of co-operation" if Britain and the EU are to work together, the newspaper said citing an interview. Barnier's intervention came after the EU on Friday sought to restrict exports of COVID-19 vaccines through the Irish border to the UK by invoking emergency clauses in the Brexit divorce deal.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his "grave concerns" to EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen over Brussels' attempts to restrict the export of the vaccines to Northern Ireland, his office said. Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin also expressed concern to von der Leyen over the executive's decision.