Ireland"s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, said the EU would approach this on the basis of getting the best deal possible. — Reuters pic

LONDON, Jan 12 — Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said today the European Union would not be rushed in negotiations with Britain to thrash out their post-Brexit relationship.

"The European Union will approach this on the basis of getting the best deal possible - a fair and balanced deal to ensure that the UK and the EU can interact as friends in the future - but the EU will not be rushed on this,” he told the BBC. — Reuters