British-Irish Council. Extraordinary Council Summit, Cardiff, 22 July 2016

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones AM, hosted an extraordinary Summit of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff on the 22 July 2016.

The meeting was attended by leaders and Ministers from the eight BIC Member Administrations: the UK and Irish Governments, the Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and the Governments of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

The Summit had been convened to consider the outcome of the UK’s referendum on membership of the European Union in June 2016 and the implications for the Council and its members.

Those present discussed the result and reflected on the implications for each individual BIC Member Administration, including those Administrations that are not part of the EU, as well as for the Council as a whole. The Council noted that there are a number of priority areas where implications arise, in particular: the economy and trade, the Common Travel Area, relations with the EU and the status of all citizens affected by the change. They further noted that the process for implementing the referendum outcome would become clearer in the coming months.

During discussions, Ministers collectively reaffirmed the importance of the Council as a key institution of the 1998 Agreement and an important and unique forum to share views, enhance cooperation and strengthen relationships amongst all Member Administrations at this time. They reiterated their commitment to facilitating harmonious and mutually beneficial relationships among the people of these islands.

It was agreed that the Council should be fully utilised to ensure that all Member Administrations work together to this end. The Council also agreed that an update on developments following the referendum result, including for the BIC work sectors, would be facilitated at the next BIC Summit in November 2016.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Devolved governments and negotiations on the UK leaving the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/devolved-governments-and-negotiations-on-the-uk-leaving-the-eu/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Government response to calls for a border poll [The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results. Reaction in Northern Ireland] http://www.europeansources.info/record/government-response-to-calls-for-a-border-poll-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results-reaction-in-northern-ireland/

ESO: Background information: PM to visit Wales to underline her strong personal support for the union http://www.europeansources.info/record/pm-to-visit-wales-to-underline-her-strong-personal-support-for-the-union/

ESO: Background information: Prime Minister to visit Scotland and underline commitment to 'preserving this special union' http://www.europeansources.info/record/prime-minister-to-visit-scotland-and-underline-commitment-to-preserving-this-special-union/

ESO: Background information: Irish Government Brexit Contingency Plans Announced / Government statement on the outcome of the UK EU referendum http://www.europeansources.info/record/irish-government-brexit-contingency-plans-announced-government-statement-on-the-outcome-of-the-uk-eu-referendum/

Wales: Government: News, 22.07.16: First Minister holds Extraordinary British-Irish Council Summit to discuss Brexit http://gov.wales/newsroom/firstminister/2016/160722bic/?lang=en

The Guardian, 22.07.16: Scotland, Wales and N Ireland could demand vote on Brexit terms http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/22/brexit-scotland-wales-northern-ireland-eu-referendum

BBC News, 22.07.16: Four parliaments should agree Brexit deal, says Carwyn Jones http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36857547

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