The leader of the Group of the Greens and European Alliance Philippe Lamberts promised Irish Prime Minister the EU is on his side in the Brexit battle against the UK.
Addressing Leo Varadkar in European Parliament, Mr Lamberts said: “You have demonstrated again in your speech the depth of your country and the commitment to the European project.
“We all got familiar with your name at the occasion of the Brexit debate and Ireland is obviously the member state that will be most affected by it.
“Not just for economic reasons but because this is about peace on the island.
“Let me just say this: we are at your side on this.
“Letting violence erupt again in Ireland will not just be a disaster for the concerned communities, but it will be an arrow through Europe’s heart because the European Union is and remains a peace project.
He added: “Brexit is a challenge we could have avoided but it should not distract us from those challenges that are existential to the future of Europe.”
German MEP Guy Verhofstadt also reassured the Irish Prime Minister the EU will always be behind any decision he will take in the Brexit debate.
He said: “You have got to know one thing and you know what I’m am going to say and it’s the last thing and it’s on Brexit.
“Whatever stance you will take, Europe will always be behind you.
“We know what is at stake in these Brexit negotiations. We know how existential it is for you.
“Well know that we will always be behind you in these negotiations. We are all Irish. You have to know that.”