A post-Brexit "hard" border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland must not be allowed to happen, political leaders from both countries have warned.
People and goods going between the two nations have been able to move freely thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA).
READ MORE: Door opened to future referendum on reunification of Ireland
The open borders agreement, set up in the 1920s, has been strengthened by both Britain and Ireland's European membership.
However, questions and concerns have been raised about what this means for the CTA and for both economies in the wake of the UK's Leave referendum result.
The issue was one of the hot topics discussed at an emergency meeting of the British Irish Council in Cardiff - which was called by Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones.
Among heads of government attending the talks were Ireland's Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as well as Northern Ireland political heavyweights Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness.
READ MORE: Scotland 'on the brink of independence' says SNP's Westminster leader
Mr Kenny said it was vital there would not be a return to the days of "checkpoints, towers and customs".
He said: "There are modern ways of not having hard borders.
"I can tell you that hard borders would not be accepted in the south or the north.
"The best possible outcome for everyone is a UK that's prosperous and has the closest possible links with the European Union.
"For us in Ireland, that means access to the single market.
"And it's been made perfectly clear by the EU council that if that is to happen, then the respect has to be there for the freedom of (movement of) people.
READ MORE: Door opened to future referendum on reunification of Ireland
"We have difficulties but I expect us to retain the Common Travel Area.
"It's a fundamental part of who we are."
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