EUROPEAN leaders have heaped praise on Ireland saying the EU “had a lot to learn” from the country after its Taoiseach addressed MEPs.

They gave a warm response to Leo Varadkar’s speech in which he told the UK Government there could be no “backsliding” on the commitment for a soft border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament chief Brexit negotiator, made clear the EU27 would firmly be on the side of the Republic in any dispute emerging from the UK’s decision to leave the bloc.

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“We must formalise the #Brexit withdrawal agreement. Besides the Irish issues, our priority is to get #citizensrights right. Because this is not done yet. We need rock solid guarantees. #EPlenary,” he said in a series of tweets.

“Europe can learn a lot from Ireland. I’m talking about the capacity to transform, to constantly reinvent itself. Because that’s exactly what Europe also needs today #EPlenary.

“The Irish economy has successfully integrated migrants from all over the world. Today Ireland is no longer a nation of emigration but a country of destination. A nation of pro-Europeans. Sometimes critical, true, but always constructive. That’s what we need today #EPlenary.”

He continued: “The EU will stand with Ireland. We know the Brexit negotiations are existential for your country. Know that we will be behind you. We are all Irish #WeAreEurope.”

Michel Barnier, the European Commission chief Brexit negotiator, also made clear his admiration.

“Inspiring words on #FutureofEurope by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar @campaignforleo in @Europarl_EN w/ Pres. @JunckerEU & @PhilHoganEU Our Union builds bridges to peace. In unity there is security, in cooperation there is strength. All member states have much to offer and much to gain,” he tweeted.

During his speech in Strasbourg, Varadkar said the union was at a “decisive point in its history” and that despite “the rise of populism and euroscepticism” noted the parliament was meeting in solidarity.

He also said it was hard to imagine the Good Friday Agreement, which helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland, being made without shared membership of the European Union and the single market.

“In Ireland we are now having to contemplate our future without the foundation that underpinned it,” he said. “That is why the Irish government has been so determined to protect the Good Friday Agreement, in all its parts, and in all that flows from it.

“It is why we have insisted that there can be no return to a hard border on our island, no new barriers to the movement of people or to trade. And it is why we are so deeply grateful for the remarkable solidarity and support we have received from member states.”

The Taoiseach said the EU had “consistently recognised the unique position of Northern Ireland, and the unique situation in which it has been put by the decision of the UK to leave the EU.

“The majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU; the majority of its representatives elected to the Northern Ireland assembly want to remain in the customs union and the single market; and it is likely that the majority of people living in Northern Ireland will remain European citizens after Brexit, because of their unique status as dual Irish/British citizens under the Good Friday Agreement.

“The breakthrough achieved before Christmas means that the United Kingdom has guaranteed that, whatever its future relationship with the European Union, a hard border on the island of Ireland will be avoided.” He continued: “As the negotiations move forward, we will continue to rely on your support and solidarity as we work to ensure that what has been promised in theory is delivered in practice. There can be no backsliding.”