merrion street

• - Talks focus on follow-up to UK referendum 
• - Ministers also discuss the wider EU and global agenda

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, held talks in Dublin this evening, Tuesday 30 August, with the Dutch Foreign Minister, Bert Koenders.
The talks focused on the follow-up to the UK decision to leave the EU and on the wider EU and global agenda.
Following the talks, Minister Flanagan said:
“I had a very good and productive meeting with my Dutch counterpart, Minister Bert Koenders, this evening. It was a timely opportunity, as we prepare for what will be a busy and challenging period ahead, to discuss with a key partner the implications of the UK decision to leave the EU.
“The Netherlands, like Ireland, has deep and long standing economic and political ties with the UK, and we agreed that it is in all of our interests to ensure that the EU is fully prepared for the forthcoming negotiations on the UK exit.
“In the course of our discussions, I set out to Minister Koenders Ireland’s concerns about the impact the UK’s exit from the EU could have on the peace process, the border and the Common Travel Area, if not managed properly.
“Since the UK referendum, I have had the opportunity to set out our specific concerns to all of my EU colleagues and have found a wide degree of understanding for our position, as was again the case this evening.
“My discussions with Minister Koenders also covered a range of global issues, including migration, EU relations with key partners like Turkey and Russia, and the humanitarian crisis in Syria.”


Note for Editors:
At the invitation of Minister Flanagan, Minister Koenders will tomorrow morning, Wednesday 31 August, address the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade Departmental Conference, attended by 80 Irish Ambassadors and Consuls General and other senior diplomats. A Press Conference will follow at 10am in Iveagh House.