Brexit: Ireland can rely on us, says Merkel

Berlin, March 20 

Chancellor Angela Merkel said today that Ireland can rely on Germany in Brexit talks as the European Union and Britain look to maintain an open border after Britain’s departure.

Merkel met with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in Berlin a day after EU and British negotiators said there had been no breakthrough on the Irish border issue, despite announcing progress on the outlines of a transition deal after Brexit day in a little more than a year’s time.

“A solution must be found for this ... and Germany fully supports the Irish position,” Merkel said. Britain is due to leave the 28-nation EU in a little over a year, and how to keep the all-but-invisible border between Ireland and Northern Ireland open is proving one of the biggest headaches. —  AP