MICHEL Barnier will visit Northern Ireland next week to speak to businesses and lobby groups about the potential impact of Brexit.
The EU's chief negotiator is set to host a round-table discussion at in Newry on Monday and a similar meeting in Derry on Tuesday.
His first engagement coincides with the fourth plenary session of Dublin government's all-island civic dialogue on Brexit, which takes place in Dundalk on Monday.
Mr Barnier, who last visited Northern Ireland in 2000 in his then role as the EU's regional policy commissioner, will update the forum on the current state of the Brexit negotiations.
The EU chief negotiator visited the border in Co Louth last May.
His visit to Newry will come a week after Brexit Secretary David Davis made a flying visit to south Armagh. The senior Tory's department was later forced to apologise because they failed to observe protocol and inform Newry and Armagh MP Mickey Brady.
It is understood that in keeping with protocol Mr Barnier will invite the region's three MEPs to meet him.
