Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed his approval of the EU-UK summit outcome in London, describing it as a “landmark moment”.
The EU and UK have successfully established a framework for renewed relations, with the British Prime Minister asserting that this will contribute nearly £9 billion (€10.6bn) to the UK economy by the year 2040.
The agreement includes a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) arrangement concerning plant and animal products, which is designed to be permanent.
The UK government has stated that “certain routine checks on animal and plant products will be entirely eliminated”, facilitating smoother trade between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Mr. Martin indicated that the results from the discussions fulfill the “shared vow to rejuvenate relations between the EU and the UK”.
“The UK is a significant like-minded ally for the EU, and for Ireland, sharing our values and dedication to multilateralism and the international rules-based system,” he remarked.
“It is crucial that we collaborate to tackle global challenges.”
“Consequently, I am pleased to see the establishment of the defence and security partnership between the EU and the UK during today’s summit.”
He noted that the agreements “signal a fresh start in a constructive and cooperative partnership between the EU and the UK, which is vital for the advancement of numerous areas of Ireland’s national interests and is key to stability in Northern Ireland”.
The UK’s choice to extend fishing rights for the EU fishing sector for an additional 12 years “also assures certainty for Ireland’s fishermen and women”, Mr. Martin added.
“In summary, a deeper collaboration between the European Union and the United Kingdom is beneficial for Ireland and for everyone,” he stated.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn also praised the EU-UK reset agreement.
He mentioned that compliance with EU standards for plants and animals will significantly benefit businesses in Northern Ireland and Britain.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Mr. Benn stated that once the new arrangements are implemented, “the transportation of food and plants from GB to Northern Ireland will be free from checks and costly paperwork, allowing goods to move freely. That’s why supermarkets have welcomed what has been negotiated.”
Mr. Starmer referred to the agreement as a “win-win” and celebrated it as a “new era” for relations between the UK and the EU.
“This agreement is advantageous for both sides,” Mr. Starmer told journalists during a joint press briefing with EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa post-summit.
Ms. von der Leyen asserted that the agreements conveyed a message of solidarity among European nations.
“The message we are sending to the world today is that…in a time of global instability, and as our continent confronts the greatest threat it has faced for generations, we in Europe stand united,” she emphasized.
In the meantime, Tánaiste Simon Harris stated that the summit “signals the onset of an ambitious and fruitful new phase of EU-UK collaboration”.
Mr. Harris asserted that the commitment from both parties to enhance their relationship will yield “real benefits for individuals in the UK and the EU alike”.
The Tánaiste is scheduled to preside over the fifth meeting of the Government Trade Forum this afternoon, which will review the outcomes of the EU-UK Summit.
Mr. Harris will provide updates to the forum on trade policy developments, including issues at the EU-US level, as well as on his discussions with European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and EU trade ministers in Brussels last week.
The new list of potential countermeasures in response to the recent US tariff decisions will also be on the agenda for discussion.
