Ireland's PM sees Johnson's resignation as an 'opportunity' for a 'true alliance'

MADRID, 7 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheal Martin, stressed on Thursday that the resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson represents an "opportunity" for a "true alliance" between the two countries.

"We now have an opportunity to return to the true spirit of partnership and mutual respect that is needed to support the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement," he said, according to a statement from the Irish government.

Thus, he pointed out that although both have cooperated extensively, "they have not always agreed" and has indicated that, at times, relations between governments have been "tense and complicated."

"This is more important today than ever, and I want to urge again to avoid any kind of unilateral action, whether it's dealing with the past or with the Northern Ireland Protocol," he said in relation to Brexit.

However, he has acknowledged that Johnson has led the country in a "particularly challenging" moment due to the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. "From a personal point of view, I am aware that these have been difficult weeks and I wish him and his family all the best for the future," he said after Johnson announced his resignation while waiting for the Conservative Party choose his successor.

"The United Kingdom is Ireland's closest neighbor and the relations between the two countries are long, deep and lasting. The work of the governments is essential for the peace and prosperity of these islands," he stressed.

In addition, he took the opportunity to allude to the fact that "the United Kingdom and the European Union are working together to respond to Russia's actions against Ukraine." "We have to extend this to other areas, such as the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is of concern to the entire population and all businessmen in the area," she stressed.

For his part, the Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, has emphasized that his country is committed to working with the new British Prime Minister to protect the shared gains in the peace process.

The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 ended a bloody struggle between Catholic nationalists, who wanted the unification of the island of Ireland, and Protestant unionists who advocated keeping Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom. The conflict caused the death of more than 3,500 people.