Republic of Ireland Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney (left) and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrive at the All-Island Civic Dialogue conference on Brexit, at the Dundalk Institute of Technology.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has said the EU Brexit talks chief Michel Barnier "does not understand the unionist culture" in Northern Ireland and expressed her disappointment he may not hear pro-Brexit views during his trip this week.

Mr Barnier is on a two-day visit to Ireland. He is to address the Dublin government's all-island civic dialogue in Dundalk before meeting business leaders and lobby groups in Newry, Derry and parts of Donegal.

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Speaking to the BBC, DUP leader Arlene Foster said she wanted to ensure there was no hard border on the island but was frustrated anti-Brexit views would dominate his visit.

"I would like to see from the EU and indeed from Ireland a willingness to work with their neighbours and make a pragmatic judgement in relation to these matters," she said.

Last week, unionist MEPs Diane Dodds and Jim Nicholson issued a statement welcoming the visit but expressed disappointment it was announced by a Sinn Fein MP. The DUP's Diane Dodds said she could not meet with Mr Barnier as she had other commitments while the UUP's Jim Nicholson is to meet with him on Wednesday in Brussels.

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Mrs Foster said the EU had been "very aggressive" in its tone during the Brexit talks. She said it would have to "respect the constitutional reality" there were two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.

"And in terms of that they have to understand we want to remain within the UK not just from a constitutional or political point of view but from an economic point of view. Because that is very, very important for all of out businesses here in Northern Ireland."

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The DUP leader said Mr Barnier "did not understand the wider unionist culture of Northern Ireland" and was disappointed he would not hear pro-Brexit views during his visit to Ireland because he was being taken around by Sinn Fein representatives.

"He is hearing a very strong message from the Republic of Ireland government, he is hearing it from Sinn Fein. We have tried to get him to understand the unionist position here in Northern Ireland but he hasn't responded to that," she continued.

The EU has proposed a so-called backstop option should there be no agreement on how to deal with the border after the UK's departure from the EU. That would see Northern Ireland remain in the customs union.

Expand Close Arlene Foster with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels in March 2018. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Arlene Foster with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels in March 2018. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP)

Mrs Foster added: "Michel Barnier is trying to present himself as someone who cares deeply about Northern Ireland and if that is the case, then he needs to hear the fact we are part of the UK and we will remain part of the UK constitutionally, politically and economically.

"Therefore his proposal of being in an all-Ireland regulatory scenario with a border down the Irish Sea simply doesn't work."

The European Commission said: "Mr Barnier has already met unionist and nationalist politicians in both Brussels and Strasbourg, but the particular focus of this trip will be to meet business stakeholders from across Northern Ireland, including cross-border groups and companies in the border areas of Newry/Dundalk and Derry-Londonderry/Letterkenny and rural representatives in Dungannon.

"Mr Barnier has received many invitations over the past year but this occasion forms part of a series of meetings Mr Barnier has across the EU to engage with stakeholders on the consequences of Brexit."

Belfast Telegraph