EU prepares to welcome “united Ireland” after Brexit
EU is talking about the potential for a “united Ireland” within the union, confirming that Northern Ireland would seamlessly rejoin the bloc after Brexit in the event of a vote for Irish reunification.
The EU diplomats are planning to ask leaders of the EU’s 27 post-Brexit member countries to endorse the idea in a summit on Saturday. This step may stoke concerns in Britain that Brexit could hasten the fragmentation of the UK, Financial Times reports.
Ireland could thus follow the example of German reunification in 1990 and reflect the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.
loading...
The agreement allows a referendum on reuniting Ireland if there is a reason to believe a majority in the province is in favour.
The increased talk of Irish reunification will increase the fears of Brits who believe Brexit will bolster those championing a UK break-up.
“Northern Ireland’s constitutional position as part of the UK is based firmly and clearly on the freely given consent of its people. The UK government has consistently upheld the principle of consent regarding Northern Ireland’s future.” said a UK government source said on Thursday evening.
“It is clear that the majority of the people of Northern Ireland continue strongly to support the current political settlement, including Northern Ireland’s continuing position within the UK.” the source added.
Loading...