The outcome of last month's Brexit referendum will not undermine the peace process in Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Theresa May has said.
Mrs May was speaking after talks with Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny at 10 Downing Street, where she said she was determined to maintain "the closest possible relationship" between the UK and the Republic following Britain's withdrawal from the EU.
The PM said there was a "strong will" to preserve free travel across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Britain leaves the EU, and suggested that this could involve a common approach to the use of data on passengers arriving from outside the British Isles.
Speaking alongside Mr Kenny in Downing Street, Mrs May said they had agreed that Britain and Ireland must "take time" to find practical solutions to a number of "complex issues" arising from the UK's decision to leave the EU.
"I recognise that one of the biggest concerns for people is the common travel area," she said. "As I said yesterday, we benefited 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.
"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.
"Alongside this, we should continue our efforts to strengthen the external borders of the common travel area; for example, through a common approach to the use of passenger data."
On the peace process, Mrs May said: "It is in all our interests to work together to safeguard our national security and the outcome of the referendum will not undermine it.
"We are both fully committed to working together in support of the Northern Ireland Executive to build a better, stronger, safer future for the people of Northern Ireland.
"Indeed, it is vital that we keep up the momentum on tackling paramilitary groups and building a shared future.
"And today we have reaffirmed our commitment to establishing a new Independent Reporting Commission by the end of this year, which will support these efforts."
Mrs May concluded: "It is precisely because the relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland is so deep and so important that there are many issues to resolve as the UK leaves the European Union.
"But I firmly believe that we can make a success of Brexit and take our relationship forwards not backwards."
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