Ireland and France urge quick UK exit from EU

The Irish prime minister and French president on Thursday called on the United Kingdom to start the process of leaving the European Union as soon as possible.

French President Francois Hollande was in Dublin for talks with Irish PM Enda Kenny that centered around “Brexit” and issues of international security.

The two leaders said that the activation of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which triggers the process for an EU member state to leave the block, would allow the start of methodical negotiations.

They also highlighted the importance of maintaining close relations between the EU and London in the future.

“Ireland and France are the UK’s nearest neighbours, with significant and complex economic, human, cultural and historical links,” a statement said. “In consequence, both countries have specific and indeed unique concerns to be addressed in future negotiations,” the two leaders’ statement said.

In addition to starting soon, Hollande said the negotiations should be as short as possible.

When asked about the possibility of the UK being granted a concession to access the single market, Kenny said that this privilege goes along with the free movement of people.

The French president is on a oneday visit to the Irish capital to participate in various engagements, his visit having been cut short due to last week’s terror attack in Nice.

He will meet Irish President Michael D. Higgins before returning to Paris where he will meet the UK’s new prime minister, Theresa May, to discuss “Brexit”.