The deal between the UK government and the European Union (EU) to address issues with trade in and to Northern Ireland was formally agreed to on Friday, British media reported. 

The deal, known as the Windsor Framework, was adopted by the UK and EU at a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting between Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic in London on Friday morning.

"We've formally adopted the Windsor Framework. This delivers on our commitment to the people of Northern Ireland," Cleverly tweeted after the adoption. 

"People in Northern Ireland will benefit from lasting certainty. The EU and UK will exploit the full potential of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement," said Sefcovic on Friday as the deal was signed off. 

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Windsor Framework: Northern Ireland trade deal for UK and EU explained

The Windsor Framework was struck over the Northern Ireland Protocol, aiming to ease the trading issues created by the Protocol.

After months of negotiations, the deal was announced by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in late February after their meeting in Windsor near London. 

On Wednesday, Sunak won the overwhelming backing of parliament for a key element of the deal despite opposition from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) small number of lawmakers and some of his party.

(With input from agencies)