Minister Byrne calls for stronger EU-UK relations at British Irish Chamber of Commerce event

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will today (23 September) deliver a keynote address to open the British Irish Chamber of Commerce’s EU Presidency event in Dublin City Hall.

The event, entitled “Reducing Friction: Addressing UK-EU Trade Barriers”, will bring

together senior business leaders, policymakers and experts to reflect on opportunities to strengthen the EU-UK trading relationship. A panel discussion will follow on the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the future EU-UK relationship.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Byrne said: “The first EU-UK Summit showed the ambition we share to improve our relationship. In working to advance this relationship, I have been engaging with the UK Minister for European Relations, Hamish Falconer, and with European Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič. I hope to see finalisation soon across a core package of agreements planned for the next Summit. This core package includes agreements on a Sanitary and Phytosanitary area, an Emissions Trading System and a Youth Experience Scheme.”

“Strengthening the EU-UK partnership will reduce barriers to cooperation North, South, East and West and, in doing so, will help us continue to deliver for our citizens and businesses, particularly in this challenging geopolitical context.”

Minister Byrne continued: “This year marked the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum. These past ten years have been marked by change and challenge, but also by co-operation and collaboration. The British Irish Chamber of Commerce, together with its many members, embodies that spirit of cooperation in the valuable work that they do.”