EU Brexit negotiator vows to stand by Ireland

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

Ireland’s interests will also be the European Union’s interests in coming Brexit negotiations, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Thursday.

Addressing Irish lawmakers in Dublin, Barnier said as chief negotiator his objective was to reach a fair outcome.

“Today, in front of the two Houses [of the Oireachtas], I want to reassure the Irish people, in this negotiation Ireland’s interest will be the union’s interest,” he said.

He said that because of Ireland’s historical and geographical ties with the U.K., a shared land border with Northern Ireland and strong economic links, the Republic was in an unique position and some members would be affected more than others states by Brexit.

The falling value of the U.K.’s pound sterling is likely to negatively impact Irish exports to the U.K.

Barnier said many people feared the return of tensions in Northern Ireland but stated the EU would work with Ireland to avoid a “hard border” between the Republic and the U.K. territory.

“We have a duty to speak the truth,” he said, adding customs controls were part of EU border management to protect its single market, food safety and standards.

Official Brexit negotiations will start following a general election in Britain on June 8.