DUBLIN, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will hold a bilateral meeting with his visiting Belgian counterpart Charles Michel later on Thursday afternoon, said a government press release.

The two leaders will discuss major European matters including Brexit, the future of Europe and the upcoming EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework, as well as international issues, said the press release, adding that they will also discuss the very close and positive relations between the two countries.

Prior to the meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin, Michel will pay a visit to the border area between Britain's Northern Ireland and Ireland with the Irish Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys,on Thursday morning, according to the press release.

Speaking in advance of her visit to the border area with Michel, Humphreys said that "This visit will help demonstrate the existing and potential impacts of Brexit and the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland from economic and social perspectives."

According to the press release, Varadkar and Michel will hold a short press briefing following their meeting.