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The Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, held a bilateral meeting today with the Swedish Minister for European Affairs, Ms. Ann Linde.

Minister McEntee welcomed Minister Linde’s reaffirmed support for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations. Minister Linde will continue her trip with a visit to the border area tomorrow where she will be accompanied by Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys.

Minister McEntee said:

The support of our EU colleagues during the Brexit negotiation process has been resolute regarding the Irish issues. Sweden has been a strong supporter of the Irish issues throughout the negotiations, and this will be Minister Linde’s second visit to Ireland since last September. Minister Linde will visit the border area with my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys tomorrow. This will help to deepen the understanding that the Irish border is not just about trade, but about people’s daily lives and about the peace on the island of Ireland that must be protected in all of its aspects.

This meeting follows last month’s visit of Michel Barnier to Dundalk during which he addressed the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit; as well as the constructive meetings that took place in Brussels yesterday between myself, the Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD and our officials.

Both Ministers also discussed the Future of Europe and the Citizens’ Dialogues that Ireland has been holding throughout the country over the last number of months. Minister McEntee outlined the process of engagement regarding the dialogues and informed Minister Linde that the process culminated at a National Dialogue on Europe Day, and that we will be drafting a report on the dialogues to help shape the future of the EU.

Minister Linde is visiting Ireland as part of the Digital 9 conference that is being hosted by Minister Pat Breen TD.