Britain, Ireland prime ministers meet to reinforce ties in the face of Brexit

The British prime minister met her Irish counterpart in London on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations following the Brexit.

Among the topics discussed by Britain’s Theresa May with Enda Kenny were the open border between the United Kingdom and Ireland and the importance of upholding the Irish peace process.

“I firmly believe that we can make a success of Brexit and take our relationship forwards not backwards,” said May, referring to the “deep and important” relationship between the UK and Ireland.

The border between the two countries has been open since the Common Travel Act was passed in 1923, allowing free travel between Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

However, following the UK’s decision on June 23 to leave the European Union, the open border between Ireland and the UK may have to be shut.

May spoke of keeping the open borders, insisting that “nobody wants to return to the borders of the past” and that the two countries should also collaborate to strengthen their exterior frontiers.

The two heads of state agreed that maintaining the peace process in Northern Ireland was a priority.

During the Brexit referendum, 56 percent of Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU, though the UK as a whole voted to leave.

This resulted in discussions about Northern Ireland remaining in the UK or joining Ireland, with even exIRA member and Deputy First Minister of Ireland Martin McGuinness calling for a referendum for the reunification of the island.

“We reiterated the importance of the partnership between our two Governments in supporting the peace process and in contributing to stability and continued progress in Northern Ireland,” said Kenny.

The meeting between Kenny and May was the first since May’s inauguration on July 13 and was followed by a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street.