Levels of confidence between the two powers was low ahead of Brexit talks on the Northern Ireland protocol this week, said the European Union’s ambassador to the United Kingdom said on Sunday.

Joao Vale de Almeida said he was confident it would improve.

“The levels of trust are low right now,” Vale de Almeida told Times Radio.

“We ultimately need to re-establish a minimum level of trust that allows us to find solutions, but this being said…I remain confident that we can get there.”