UK to not accept 'physical' Irish border: Premier May

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - Prime Minister Theresa May has reiterated that the U.K. “will not accept any physical infrastructure at the border” between Northern Ireland and Ireland following Brexit.

Her remarks came following a meeting with Ireland’s Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Vladkar in London Monday, which coincided with the start of the fourth round of Brexit talks between the U.K. and the EU.

May said they were working “on delivering a practical solution that allows for the most seamless possible movement of goods between the U.K. and EU”.

About efforts on the formation of a devolved government in Northern Ireland, the British prime minister said the issue was discussed with the visiting Irish leader.

Both leaders discussed “the importance of devolved government being restored to Northern Ireland as soon as possible and the U.K. government’s steadfast commitment to the Belfast Agreement and its successors,” a government statement said.

They recognized “the progress made by the parties in Northern Ireland and the Prime Minister welcomed the efforts and support of the Irish government on achieving a successful outcome”.

“There was also a shared acknowledgement of the outstanding issues that remained for the parties and the need for their continued work towards an agreement to ensure Northern Ireland has the political stability it needs.”

May “made clear how the U.K. will be the strongest friend and partner to the EU after we leave the EU and how maintaining the reciprocal arrangements for the Common Travel Area and the citizenship rights guaranteed by the Belfast Agreement were at heart of our approach.”

Meanwhile in Brussels, the new round of Brexit negotiations that will continue during this week resumed between chief negotiators David Davis and Micheal Barnier.

- Brexit negotiations

Davis in his opening remarks said on the citizens’ rights issue that the U.K. “will incorporate the agreement fully into U.K. law and take steps to ensure consistent interpretation”.

“We hope to make progress on issues like the onward movement of U.K. citizens in the EU, and voting rights in local elections,” he said.

“We both want to avoid changes to the way citizens enjoy their rights and our proposals will deliver that.”

Davis also underlined the progress being made on the border issue between northern Ireland and Ireland “with a common desire to maintain the Common Travel Area and protect the Good Friday Agreement”.

He also said “the U.K. will honor commitments we have made during the period of our membership”.

The border between Northern Ireland and Ireland does not physically exist under the current regulations but people from both sides worry about new border restrictions after Brexit.

The Irish border issue has been one of the key discussion points since the Brexit talks started between the sides, together with the border and future arrangements between Spain and Gibraltar -- a British Overseas Territory.

Talks between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein are still underway following the elections held in March after the collapse of the devolved government over a botched energy scheme earlier.

Britain is set to leave the European Union in March 2019 after last year’s referendum to end its 44-year-long membership to the bloc.