What will a new Brexit agreement mean for Northern Ireland?

Everything you need to know about the tentative deal

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
(Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The Brexit process has taken a new step forward, this time in Northern Ireland. BBC News reports that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen on Monday announced an agreement to "fix post-Brexit problems" in Northern Ireland that left the region in a state of limbo following the United Kingdom's exit from the EU. The issue had long complicated relations between the U.K. and Europe, and Reuters reports that officials hope the agreement provides a fresh start for the two. "This is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship," Sunak said at Monday's news conference. Why was Northern Ireland a point of contention over Brexit? What does the new agreement do? Here's everything you need to know:

What was going on with Northern Ireland and Brexit?

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.