H.E. Mr. Paul Schellekens:

I will try. My colleague and I both mentioned the importance of the four freedoms and the 27, as a whole, have said it is important. I mentioned free movement in connection with the Border between the Republic and the North. The Netherlands understands this issue for Ireland and we hope a solution can be found. All the other EU countries believe the four freedoms must be observed by countries that want to come into the Internal Market.

Almost all the members mentioned euroscepticism, and it plays out a lot in my country and in many other European countries, but not as much here in Ireland. One hardly hears remarks that the EU is not good and that it should be different. It is my personal opinion that euroscepticism among the voters is also inspired by politicians who tend to say the EU should do more of something or less of something, but never say the EU has been very good to them and still is and is very important. They only mention the things they do not like, thinking this is appealing to voters. This is my impression. While I do not hear it here, it is the case in my country and other European countries.

Trade relations and the currency might be a major problem for the years to come. My personal opinion is that after Brexit, things will calm down, eventually. The Netherlands and Ireland have important trade relations with the US, which is not part of the EU, which has its own currency which can go up and down, and yet trade relations remain very good. This will also be the case, eventually, after Brexit. I said "if" the UK leaves. It was not on purpose. One could say "when". I did not use the word "if" to have a positive outlook, although one never knows what might happen. There might be another referendum or other elections in the UK, and Brexit might not happen. However, for the moment, our point of departure is that Brexit will happen. There is no talk about creating an EU army but of European military co-operation.