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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that there has to be a level playing field in the Brexit negotiations to ensure the single market and customs union are \u201cnot diluted\u201d.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that there has to be a level playing field in the Brexit negotiations to ensure the single market and customs union are \u201cnot diluted\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach said there must be a common minimum standard so the United Kingdom does not attempt to \u201cundercut\u201d the EU over its labor and environmental standards.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said the Brexit negotiations has reached the halfway point, adding that the next step is to negotiate a free trade agreement between the UK and the EU.<\/p>\n
He made the comments as the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen visited Ireland for the first time in her current role.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said he wanted to restate Ireland\u2019s appreciation for the EU\u2019s solidarity on Brexit.<\/p>\n
During this evening\u2019s discussions, Mr Varadkar and Ms Von der Leyen will discuss Brexit and the European Green Deal.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said: \u201cI really want to restate Ireland\u2019s deep appreciation and thanks for the solidarity from the commission and the European institutions and other member states.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly as a result of that, we have a Withdrawal Agreement which assures us there is no hard border, that citizens\u2019 rights are protected and the travel area between Britain and Ireland remains in place and that the Good Friday Agreement is protected.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw a real demonstration of that in the fact that the institutions in Northern Ireland are now back up and running.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always felt removing uncertainty around Brexit was one of the crucial ingredients that is required to get the parties together again,\u201d Mr Varadkar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next step is negotiating a free trade agreement with the UK. When it comes to Brexit it is only half-time, and the next step is to negotiate a free trade agreement between the UK and the EU.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere also has to be a level playing field so that the single market and the customs union are not diluted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must have common minimum standards so that the UK doesn\u2019t attempt in any way to undercut the EU when it comes to labor and environmental standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking in Government Buildings in Dublin, Ms Von der Leyden said the UK will leave the EU in two weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s almost no other country in the European Union that is more affected by this decision than Ireland,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why Ireland and Northern Ireland were one of our top priorities during the withdrawal negotiations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not want a hard border, we delivered that. We\u2019ve said that Ireland will stay at the heart of the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the withdrawal negotiations and agreement were successful. The EU negotiated respectfully and fairly as we wanted an orderly exit. It\u2019s very important to protect citizens\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are 3.5 million European Union citizens working and living in the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very good that we have the reassurance that those people can live and work until the end of their lives in the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was very important and one of the top priorities was to ensure peace and stability on the island.\u201d<\/p>\n
She thanked Mr Varadkar for his work and leadership in the Brexit process, adding that the EU will watch over the implementation of Brexit \u201cvery closely\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Von der Leyen added: \u201cWe have a wide-ranging (Brexit) agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have around eight months because the negotiation talks will start at the end of February or beginning of March.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not only trade, there are a lot of other topics too, including security.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a plan but we have to work very hard to reach our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n