02 December 2022
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen addressed the joint Houses of the Oireachtas on December 1, stating that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland.
"Ireland can always count on the European Union to stand by the Good Friday Agreement," President von der Leyen told the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas on Thursday.
"There can be no hard border on the island of Ireland."
Earlier in her remarks, von der Leyen said: "Brexit will not become an obstacle on the path of reconciliation in Ireland."
She said any solution to the ongoing Brexit saga must involve Northern Ireland remaining in the single market and said a workable solution is "within reach" if all parties are "sensitive to this careful balance". Von der Leyen said Brexit has thrust the EU and Ireland closer together and stated that all Europeans understand how important it is to preserve peace on the island of Ireland.
She also said Ireland "lies at the heart of Europe", stating that the country "shows Europe's best face".
"Joining the EU has unleashed Ireland's immense potential, and has profoundly transformed this country," she remarked.
"Today all other Europeans look up to Ireland," von der Leyen said, noting that the Irish people "are inclusive, loyal to your history, and open to the future and the world."
Read the full story at irishcentral.com here:
https://www.irishcentral.com/news/no-hard-border-ireland-von-der-leyen?utm_source=jeeng