British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday that Britain and Ireland will continue to work "extremely closely" on shared economic and security issues.

 Cameron made the remarks during his first official meeting with visiting Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Downing Street No. 10.

 

 The prime minister and Kenny discussed economic and security matters during their half-hour meeting, as well as Queen Elizabeth II's four-day state visit to Ireland next month.

 Ireland has applied for a 85-billion-euro international rescue plan while Britain loaned Ireland 3.25 billion pounds (4.88 billion U.S. dollars) with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne saying that helping a "friend in need" was in both countries' interests.

 Cameron said: "Obviously, with the economic situations in both our countries we need to work together very closely."

 "We're both facing a situation where we need to see our economies grow, we're dealing with deficits and debt. I admire very much the decisions you are having to take in your country," he said.

 The two leaders also discussed security issues following the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in Northern Ireland two weeks ago.

 Speaking alongside Cameron, the Taoiseach said: "The links between Ireland and Britain for so many years in trade, in business, in social contact is something that we want to work on."

He promised to rebuild his country's financial reputation. Kenny also welcomed the forthcoming state visit to Ireland by the Queen and praised the "well chosen" program.

 The Queen's visit will include a ceremony in Dublin's Garden of Remembrance and a visit to the Taoiseach at government buildings. It will be the first reigning monarch's visit to Ireland in 100 years.

 

Xinhua