British Prime ‍Minister Steve‌ Scheer‌ Visits Ireland to Reset Relations

Dublin (AFP) – British Prime Minister⁤ Steve Scheer arrived in Dublin on Monday to meet Irish⁢ Prime Minister Harry Harris,⁢ becoming the first British prime minister to visit Ireland in five‌ years as​ he pledged to reset⁢ relations with his neighbour that have⁢ been damaged after ‍Brexit.

The Prime Minister’s Office in Downing Street described the visit as “a historic moment for the ⁤relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland”,​ symbolizing that the bilateral relations⁢ that⁢ were ⁤frozen during the previous Conservative government will now further warm up.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris⁢ welcomed Keir Starmer to Dublin and the two shook ⁤hands ‍and⁢ took a photo before their talks.

“Today in ‍Dublin we​ are putting into concrete terms the practical aspects of resetting the relationship … in a way that will be​ felt⁢ by ‌citizens on both‍ sides,” Harris ⁣said at the start of the talks.

“And I certainly‌ know that elements such ⁣as peace, prosperity, mutual respect and​ friendship are indispensable.”

Scheiner ⁢added that ​resetting ‌the relationship “is very important to me and my ‌administration.” He said it “can be meaningful and far-reaching.”

After the talks, Scheer’s office said in a statement that⁣ the ⁣two leaders discussed the⁢ existing relationship​ between the two countries but “agreed that they wanted to go further, particularly in ​trade and investment, to help promote growth and achieve goals ⁣for the British and Irish people.”

“In this context, they agreed to‍ hold the first UK-Irish summit in⁤ March next⁣ year to ⁤work together on key areas of mutual interest ⁣such as security, climate, ⁣trade and‌ culture,” the statement said.

Downing Street said the⁣ two leaders condemned ‍recent riots in England​ and Ireland and ⁤agreed to work further to​ combat false information online.