Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Helen McEntee participate in General Affairs Council on Brexit
Press release
16 June 2020
Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Helen McEntee participate in General Affairs Council on Brexit
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, T.D., and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, T.D., will have the opportunity to exchange views on the current EU-UK negotiations with their counterparts at a video conference of Ministers for European Affairs today (June 16). The EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, will brief Ministers on the negotiations.
Ministers will also prepare for the video conference of Members of the European Council on 19 June. EU leaders will discuss the revised proposal for the MFF, which will be supplemented by a European recovery instrument, “Next Generation EU”.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:
“I look forward to today’s discussion on Brexit matters. While we have not yet made as much headway as we would have liked in the negotiations, I remain confident that a deal can be done, with the political will to make real progress across all the areas outlined in the Political Declaration. This is especially important in respect of key issues such as fisheries, LPF, law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and governance.
"The EU’s position on these matters is clear – Michel Barnier has our full support as he takes this important work forward. A comprehensive agreement is in all of our interest.”
Minister McEntee said:
"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented economic and social challenges. These are shared by all Member States in the European Union so we must seek a joint solution. As we work in partnership to minimise the negative economic and social consequences of this pandemic, and forge a path to recovery, a strong co-ordinated European economic response must be at the heart of this process.
"The Taoiseach has welcomed the broad thrust of the ambitious Commission proposals for a €1.1 trillion EU seven year budget (MFF) and a €750 billion Next Generation EU recovery instrument. We are analysing the detail of these proposals and are committed to working with EU colleagues to reach early agreement that will support our shared ambitions for a speedy economic recovery."
ENDS