15/01/2020

EU Commission President Makes Inaugural Visit To Dublin

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has welcomed President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen on her first official visit to Ireland.

The next stage of Brexit negotiations will be high on the agenda as the pair meet in Dublin today, as well as the new Common Agricultural Policy, funding for Northern Ireland and border counties and the President's EU Green Deal.

The Fine Gael leader said ahead of the visit: "I'm very pleased to welcome President von der Leyen on her first official visit to Ireland. She's set out an ambitious agenda for the Commission's new term, and significantly the EU's solid support for Ireland on Brexit is going to continue.

"I particularly welcome her European Green Deal, which is her vision for a carbon neutral Europe by 2050.

"I'm looking forward to discussing the next phase of Brexit negotiations, including the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the UK. I want to ensure that CAP is adequately funded, which is really important for farmers and rural communities."

The Taoiseach plans to raise his request for a €1 billion Peace Plus programme for Northern Ireland and the border counties, and will brief President von der Leyen on the breakthrough at Stormont and the restoration of power-sharing.

He added: "I will tell President von der Leyen that Ireland is right behind her EU Green Deal, but will also argue for a Just Transition fund to benefit locations such as the Midlands."



(JG/CM)

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