Foreign Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is later to hold bilateral talks with the Irish Foreign Secretary.
He will receive Simon Coveney at Lancaster House in London for a session of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC).
The BIIGC usually deals with economic cooperation, political stability and security.
The meeting is also expected to focus on plans for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
There are reports that the UK and Irish governments are keen for President Biden to visit Northern Ireland in April.
This will be Mr Heaton-Harris’ first meeting of the BIICG, but it will be Mr Coveney’s seventh, having attended all meetings since his reinstatement in 2018.
Northern Ireland Minister of State Steve Baker and Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee will also attend.
Friday’s meeting comes as Brussels and London resume technical negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
- What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
Relations between London, Dublin and Brussels have improved in recent weeks and there is hope for progress in these talks.
On Thursday, however, Mr Coveney warned that an agreement was unlikely before October 28 – which is the deadline for institutions to be restored at Stormont.
The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly pledged to hold elections if no new Northern Ireland executive is in office by that date.
On Thursday evening, Secretary of State James Cleverly hosted a working lunch with Mr Coveney at which the two discussed Brexit, the war in Ukraine and issues surrounding the UN Security Council.
The BIIGC was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral cooperation between the UK and Irish governments.
It deals with subjects that are not transferred to Stormont.
The meetings usually focus on economic cooperation, security and political stability in Northern Ireland.
It did not meet for 11 years between 2007 and 2018, but has met twice a year since its recall.
The UK Government is represented by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Dublin Foreign Secretary represents the Government of the Republic of Ireland.
Another minister from both administrations will attend.
Add Comment