“We expect Ireland to ask on Saturday for a statement to be added to the minutes of the European Council, which states that in case of a unification of the island in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, the united Ireland would be a member of the EU”- a spokesperson for the EU Council told AFP news agency.

“We do not expect a change of the guidelines themselves, but only a statement (of) the minutes” of the meeting, the source said on condition of anonymity.

“However, the EU does of course not take a stance on the possibility of a united Ireland. Should this question arise, it would be for the peoples of Ireland and Northern Ireland to decide in accordance with the Googd Friday Agreement.”

The special European Council (Article 50), in an EU 27 format, will adopt the guidelines for the Brexit negotiations. The guidelines will define the framework for negotiations and set out the overall EU positions and principles during negotiations. The draft guidelines proposed by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, were presented to the member states on 31 March.

Photo:  Taoiseach Enda Kennny in the European Council