Taoiseach to discuss Middle East and Ukraine with Macron in Paris meeting
Micheál Martin is to discuss the Middle East, Ukraine and EU security with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Paris.
The Taoiseach’s visit to the Élysée Palace on Thursday is part of preparations as Ireland takes up the presidency of the EU Council for six months from July.
The EU Council is the group of heads of state and ministers from the 27 EU countries’ governments.
It is in charge of legislation and involves gatherings of EU ministers who have similar briefs, for example, the Foreign Affairs Council.
Ireland will take responsibility for planning and chairing EU Council meetings and negotiations and representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission.
Bilateral relations between France and Ireland are excellent at all levels – political, economic, cultural and people-to-people – underpinned by our historical friendship and shared EU membership
Taoiseach Micheal Martin
There will be approximately 30,000 delegates coming to Ireland over the six-month period, with meetings taking place over four and a half months when the breaks over August and the Christmas period are excluded.
Departmental officials are also finalising Ireland’s policy priorities, which are to be published next month.
The leaders will discuss preparations for the presidency and the focus on competitiveness, the EU’s next budget and security, as well as EU enlargement, as part of Ireland’s tenure.
The two leaders will also discuss international issues such as the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Martin said Ireland would be taking the helm of the EU Council presidency at “a time of great challenge and uncertainty” in the world.
“I look forward to discussing with President Macron his priorities for our term in office and how we can work together to improve the lives of Europe’s citizens and enterprises,” he said.
“I will brief the President on our plans to focus on improving EU competitiveness, negotiating the Union’s next budget, and security. We will also seek to make progress on EU enlargement.
“I also look forward to discussing global challenges, including conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.
While in Paris, Martin will visit the Centre Culturel Irlandais, where he will announce the launch of a new archival project to improve access to historic documents related to Ireland in French archives.
With the Paris branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Taoiseach will present a copy of the first English-Irish dictionary, An Foclóir Béarla-Gaoidheilge, or Begly’s Dictionary, which was first published in Paris in 1732, to the CCI.
He will also deliver the keynote address at the conference, Tearmann thar Toinn: The Irish Language in Europe.
“Bilateral relations between France and Ireland are excellent at all levels – political, economic, cultural and people-to-people – underpinned by our historical friendship and shared EU membership,” Martin said.
“While in Paris, I am also looking forward to marking the deep cultural ties and shared heritage with France through a number of events at the Centre Culturel Irlandais, the home of Irish culture in France.
“I will launch the Journey to Europe: Archives of the Irish in France project, which will identify and digitise material of significant Irish interest housed in French archives.
“This project will improve our understanding of our deep historical relationship.
“In my keynote address, I will also reflect on the Irish language in Europe, both past and present, as we continue to promote our native language as a vibrant part of our cultural identity.”
