(07 September 2017) – The European Commission has today set out its principles for the political dialogue on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the Brexit negotiations.
Today’s paper states that the Good Friday Agreement should continue to be protected and strengthened in all its parts after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.
The continuation of the Common Travel Area, which facilitates the interaction of people in Ireland and the UK, should also be recognised.
Key issues include ensuring that: the interlocking political institutions on the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, established by the Good Friday Agreement, continue to operate; cooperation (in particular, North-South cooperation between Ireland and Northern Ireland) is protected across all the relevant sectors; and that full account be taken of the birth right of the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves as British or Irish, or both.