TAOISEACH Enda Kenny is today meeting with the prime ministers of the Netherlands and Denmark, two of the other EU countries expected to be worst hit by the impact of Brexit.
Mr Kenny will discuss the strategy for the upcoming talks on Britain leaving the EU with Dutch leader Mark Rutte and Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in The Hague later this morning.
Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark share a range of common interests in relation to Brexit, including strong trading relations with the UK.
According to the Taoiseach’s office, the three leaders will discuss the looming Brexit negotiations and “how best to work together, as part of the EU team”, on a range of issues ahead of next week’s crunch European Council meeting.
That’s when the guidelines for the talks with the UK are to be adopted by the 27 remaining EU member states.
Mr Kenny will highlight Ireland’s concerns in relation to trade and economy, Northern Ireland and the Peace Process, and the Common Travel Area, as he did at a meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this month.
“This meeting is part of my strategic engagement with all our EU partners, ahead of the Brexit negotiations,” Mr Kenny said.
“I know both prime minister Rutte and prime minister Rasmussen well from many years of attending European Council meetings.
“The Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland have common views on a wide range of EU issues.
“Our meeting… provides an opportunity for us to have a detailed discussion on Brexit following the UK’s triggering of Article 50 and the circulation of draft EU negotiating guidelines.”
Mr Kenny said the Government’s engagement on Brexit has ensured that Ireland’s concerns are reflected in the draft negotiation guidelines.
“However this is just the start of what will be long and complex negotiations,” he warned.
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