Published on
Minister Flanagan in Berlin for talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Ministers to discuss outcome of UK referendum
Minister Flanagan to reconfirm Ireland’s commitment to the European Union
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, is in Berlin today, Friday 8 July, for talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs. The meeting will focus on EU developments, including the outcome of the recent UK referendum. The Ministers will also discuss current international issues including the Middle East Peace Process, the situation in Ukraine, and Germany’s Chairmanship of the OSCE.
In addition to meeting with Minister Steinmeier, Minister Flanagan will address the Bundestag European Union Affairs’ Committee on recent developments within the EU and will also meet members of the Bundestag’s German-Irish Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Minister will meet with Irish business representatives and members of the Irish community resident in Berlin at an event at the Irish Embassy. He will return to Dublin on Friday evening.
Minister Flanagan said:
“Ireland and Germany enjoy excellent bilateral relations and my visit is an opportunity to build on these excellent foundations and to discuss the implications of the UK referendum result.
“As Ireland, Germany and the rest of our EU partners continue to assess the full implications of the decision by the UK to leave the EU, my talks in Berlin with Foreign Minister Steinmeier, and my meeting with German parliamentarians, is a welcome opportunity to discuss the way forward and to seek understanding and support for Ireland’s interests.
“Germany has been very understanding of Ireland’s concerns, not least about the possible impact of the UK leaving the EU on the Northern Ireland peace process and on the border, and I look forward to discussing all these matters in Berlin. I will also take the opportunity to reconfirm that Ireland is, and will remain, a fully committed member of the European Union.
“Germany, like many other partners, has significant bilateral trade and investment relations with the UK and will be a key player as the EU prepares for the negotiations between the EU and the UK.”