The Irish Foreign Minister said he is hopeful the EU and the UK can resolve their differences
The Irish Foreign Minister has expressed optimism that the UK and European Union can reach a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol but cautioned there are just weeks to do it.
Last week, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly warned that "big gaps" remain between the UK and EU in the protocol negotiations. He was speaking at a side event on Northern Ireland during the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Athlone on Saturday."I don't say that lightly," Mr Coveney said. "Since the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken charge of No 10, there has been a very clear effort coming from the British government to try to reset the relationship with the Irish government. That is welcome and we have responded positively to that.
"I think if that spirit of compromise in order to agree landing zones in certain areas that are currently sources of disagreement, if we get that approach from the British government, I believe, between now and the end of the year, we can make very significant progress. Mr Coveney described the stakes as "high" just months before the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.
"The position that I have tried to ensure that this party has been in and that the government has taken, is that we need to focus for now on rebuilding relationships that have fundamentally broken down in the last number of years."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iran spreading 'bloodshed and destruction', says foreign secretaryJames Cleverly will reaffirm the UK's commitment to stopping Iran from producing nuclear weapons.
Read more »
Iran 'spreading bloodshed and destruction' around the world, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to sayJames Cleverly will give a speech condemning Iran a day before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup, where England will play Iran.
Read more »
Narrow Water: Micheál Martin launches tender to build bridgeA new cross-border bridge planned for Narrow Water is hailed as 'important and symbolic' by MichealMartinTD as he visits Warrenpoint to launch the tendering process
Read more »
Ukraine war will be over by spring, predicts country's defence ministerThe retired major general says his nation will never stop fighting until victory and even a Russian nuclear strike would not end the struggle to drive out invading Kremlin forces.
Read more »
Twitter in Dublin confirms 140 Irish redundanciesLeo Varadkar confirmed just over a third of staff were being let go at Twitter's European headquarters.
Read more »