The Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said solidarity with Ireland on Brexit 'remains strong'.

He was speaking following a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Bucharest, Romania on Thursday.

The informal meeting was called to discuss the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Venezuela, the situation in Syria and EU-China relations.

Speaking before the meeting, Mr Coveney said: "This meeting is an important opportunity for EU ministers to hold informal discussions on foreign policy issues and on how the EU can best engage with and respond to global developments.

"My colleagues and I will have an exchange of views on EU-China relations, which are increasingly important given China's increasingly prominent role in global forums, and the turbulent global environment.

"We will also discuss China with foreign ministers from EU candidate countries."

However in a tweet after the summit, he indicated that Brexit was also discussed - and said solidarity with Ireland "remains so strong".

In Bucharest, Romania tonight with EU Foreign Ministers - solidarity with Ireland on #Brexit remains so strong ???????? pic.twitter.com/qByjwrGWBL

— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 31, 2019

It comes amid increasing uncertainty over Britain's exit from the bloc on March 29th.

The British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned that the process may need to be extended - even if a deal is agreed in late March.

Mr Hunt was speaking after the House of Commons passed an amendment, calling for the border backstop to be replaced with "alternative arrangements."

The EU has already warned that the withdrawal agreement - including the backstop - is not open for re-negotiation.

In a phone call on Wednesday, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar again warned UK Prime Minister Theresa May that that position remains unchanged.

He noted that the developments in London had "reinforced the need for a backstop which is legally robust and workable in practice."