Micheál Martin is set to discuss the Middle East, Ukraine and European security with French President Emmanuel Macron during talks in Paris, reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach’s visit to the Élysée Palace on Thursday forms part of preparations ahead of Ireland assuming the presidency of the EU Council for six months from July, reports Breaking News.
The EU Council is made up of ministers and heads of government from the 27 EU member states.
It oversees legislation and includes meetings of ministers responsible for similar policy areas, such as foreign affairs, reports Breaking News.
As part of the presidency role, Ireland will oversee the planning and chairing of council meetings and negotiations, while also representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission.
Approximately 30,000 delegates are expected to travel to Ireland during the six-month presidency period, with meetings concentrated across roughly four and a half months excluding breaks in August and over Christmas, reports Breaking News.
Government departments are also finalising Ireland’s policy priorities ahead of publication next month.
The Taoiseach and President Macron are expected to discuss the presidency agenda, including competitiveness, the EU’s future budget, security and enlargement, reports Breaking News.
International matters, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, are also expected to feature during the talks.
Mr Martin said Ireland would assume the EU Council presidency during “a time of great challenge and uncertainty” globally, reports Breaking News.
“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, reports Breaking News.
“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”, he added, reports Breaking News.
“I also look forward to discussing global challenges, including conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine”, he said, reports Breaking News.
During the visit, Mr Martin will also attend the Centre Culturel Irlandais, where he will launch a new archival initiative aimed at improving public access to historical documents relating to Ireland held in French archives.
Together with the Paris branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Taoiseach will present a copy of the first English-Irish dictionary, An Foclóir Béarla-Gaoidheilge, also known as Begly’s Dictionary, first published in Paris in 1732, to the cultural centre, reports Breaking News.
He is also due to deliver the keynote address at the conference Tearmann thar Toinn: The Irish Language in Europe.
Mr Martin said relations between Ireland and France remain strong across political, economic, cultural and people-to-people connections, supported by shared EU membership and longstanding historical ties, reports Breaking News.
“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”, he said, reports Breaking News.
“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”, he added, reports Breaking News.
“This project will improve our understanding of our deep historical relationship”, he said, reports Breaking News.
“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”, he added, reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
