Merkel expresses solidarity with Ireland on Brexit
Dublin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said her country will stand together with the other European Union (EU) member states and do everything they can to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
Merkel made the remark at a press conference after meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.
“We want to stand together as 27, until the very last hour. I can say this from the German side. We will do everything in order to prevent a no-deal Brexit,” she told the press conference held at Farmleigh House, a state guest house of Ireland, which is located next to the scenic Phoenix Park in west Dublin.
“We have to do this together with Britain,” she said, adding “We do hope that the intensive discussions that are ongoing in London will lead to a situation by next Wednesday, when we have a special council meeting, where Prime Minister Theresa May will have something to table to us on the basis of which we can continue to talk.”
Merkel was referring to a summit meeting of the European Council scheduled on April 10, two days before the deadline EU gives to Britain for Brexit. Earlier, the EU said Britain must come up with a clear solution to break the current impasse of Brexit before April 12 or it could face a no-deal Brexit.
Merkel’s remarks were viewed by the media here as an important outcome of Thursday’s meeting between the two leaders as well as another assurance from a heavyweight EU member state for Ireland.
Ireland is most concerned about the possible return of a hard border between itself and Britain’s Northern Ireland after Brexit. However, if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal, a hard border looks almost inevitable.
Avoiding a hard border after Brexit is something that Ireland has been trying hard to achieve in the Brexit talks and needs firm support from other EU member states.
Addressing a joint press conference with Merkel, Varadkar expressed his thanks for the strong solidarity Germany showed for Ireland. He said that Merkel has been a very strong ally to Ireland throughout the Brexit negotiations.
He also noted that both Ireland and Germany want to have a close future relationship with Britain.
Britain’s leaving on April 12 is not an outcome anyone wants, he said, adding that patience is needed in dealing with Britain over the Brexit issue.
“Matters continue to play out in London and I think we need to be patient and understanding of the predicament that they are in,” he said.
But he also warned: “There is very little time left and we have to prepare ourselves for all outcomes.”
