Strong will on both sides to preserve common travel between UK and Ireland: May

[LONDON] There is strong will in both Britain and Ireland to preserve the common travel area between the countries following Britain's vote to leave the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday after a meeting with her Irish counterpart.

Ms May and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said they had also agreed that the peace process in Northern Ireland must not be undermined by last month's referendum result.

"We benefitted from a common travel area between the UK and the Republic of Ireland for many years before either country was a member of the EU," Ms May told reporters. "There is a strong will on both sides to preserve it and so we must now focus on securing a deal that is in the interests of both of us."

Mr Kenny also said while many obstacles lay ahead in the Brexit process, it was in Ireland's interests to see its neighbour prosper outside the EU.

REUTERS