Taoiseach Simon Harris and British prime minister Keir Starmer have pledged to ensure that future political challenges will not damage Anglo-Irish relations, following years of often bitter disagreements over the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.
The declaration vowing an end to Brexit discord came ahead of talks in Farmleigh in Dublin on Saturday, the second time in less than two months when the two leaders have met – a sharp change on relations that existed with the Conservatives.
“When political challenges overshadow human connections, everyone loses ... we will not let that happen again. That’s why it’s important to say that we are more than just trading partners and neighbours. We are friends.
“This moment represents a fundamental shift in our bilateral relationship. With the Brexit debates behind us, we’re moving from friction back to friendship,” the Taoiseach and prime minister said, in a joint article for The Irish Times.
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Saying that relations are “a new path”, they went on: “The scars left by the history of these islands inform the relationship we have today, but they don’t define it. It is a relationship that may be uniquely complex, but it is also uniquely close.”
Following the talks, the two will go on to Lansdowne Road to watch Ireland play England in the Nations’ League at the Aviva Stadium.
Relations have improved markedly since Mr Starmer took over. Echoing this, the two leaders said the “starting point” for talks was “always our profound and shared responsibility for peace in Northern Ireland” as Belfast Agreement co-guarantors.
“Upholding the agreement is a deep, personal priority for us both. And we are both conscious that it is an unfinished peace,” they said, noting that Stormont had functioned for just 15 of those 26 years.
No single subject is likely to dominate the discussions, especially since changes sought by London from Brussels on its Brexit departure arrangements are currently in a holding pattern, pending the installation of the new European Commission.
However, the difficulties facing both countries on immigration will feature significantly, sources say, with both leaders likely to look at measures that could strengthen the Common Travel Area between both countries.
Officials from the Department of Justice and the Home Office in London are due to meet later this month to discuss a series of specific actions, including hopes of sharing more information between immigration authorities.
Bar opening words on arrival, the two leaders are not having a press conference, though a detailed communique is due to be published.
Following their own bilateral meeting, Mr Harris and Mr Starmer will meet in Farmleigh with a number of senior business representatives to review the existing €120 billion worth of Anglo-Irish trade, and discuss opportunities for progress.
Mr Starmer has spent time in recent weeks briefing European colleagues on his hopes to settle relations with a deal on veterinary and food checks, mutual recognition of job qualifications and more mobility for students.
He will brief the Taoiseach on the outcome of those contacts, though there will be no attempt – as happened frequently under Conservative administrations – where London will seek to split Dublin from Brussels.
On Northern Ireland, the two leaders will discuss the British government’s pledge to repeal the Conservative-introduced legacy legislation, which ended inquests and hopes of prosecutions for Troubles killings.
Rejected already by the Belfast High Court and facing an Irish challenge in the European Court of Human Rights, the legislation will be repealed, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn has promised.
However, the shape of the final plan may not be evident for up to 18 months, since detailed negotiations with Dublin, the Northern political parties and victims’ families could take considerable time.
