Ireland sees 'window of opportunity' for Northern Ireland Brexit deal

FILE PHOTO: Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney speaks at the launch of his party's manifesto for the Irish General Election in Dublin, Ireland January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Lorraine O'Sullivan/File Photo

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland believes there is a "window of opportunity" for Britain and the European Union to reach agreement on Northern Ireland trade rules and avoid a damaging trade war, but more trust is needed, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Wednesday.

"I believe... there is an opportunity before us now to seize momentum towards agreeing a constructive way forward through compromise and partnership," Coveney told an Irish parliamentary committee meeting about the ongoing negotiations between London and Brussels.