Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris is currently in Berlin for talks with his newly appointed German counterpart, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, reports RTE.
Their meeting will cover a range of key topics, including progress on the EU-US Trade Deal, developments in the Middle East and Ukraine, defence and security cooperation, European economic competitiveness, and the upcoming EU budget.
Harris, pictured above at last week’s Dublin Pride, is set to lay out a case for Ireland in relation to the EU-US Trade Deal.
They also plan to reflect on the continued strengthening of Irish-German relations, which have deepened under the Global Ireland initiative. This includes the establishment of Irish consulates in Frankfurt in 2019 and Munich in 2024, and the ongoing Ireland-Germany Joint Plan of Action, which is now in its third version, reports RTE.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Mr Harris stated: “I look forward to visiting Germany and holding my first official meeting with Minister Wadephul.
“Germany is a vital bilateral partner for Ireland at the political level as well as a key economic counterpart, being Ireland’s second largest source of foreign direct investment and third largest trading partner, reports RTE.
“I will be interested to hear Minister Wadephul’s perspective on key issues on the EU and international agenda, particularly the efforts to secure an EU-US Trade deal ahead of Wednesday’s deadline. We will also discuss security and defence, the Middle East, Ukraine, and EU enlargement and reform. I will also set out Ireland’s priorities in these areas,” reports RTE.
As part of his visit, the Tánaiste will tour the Siemens Energy Innovation Centre. He commented: “Siemens Energy has played a key role in major strategic infrastructure projects in Ireland, including Moneypoint, the Celtic Interconnector and the Greenlink Interconnector.
“I am looking forward to this visit on the centenary of the inception of the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme, which had a transformative impact on the modernisation of Ireland, as well as on Irish-German bilateral relations,” reports RTE.
He is also scheduled to have a working lunch with Jens Spahn, Leader of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Party, at the Bundestag.
He said: “The meeting with Jens Spahn will be an opportune moment to hear directly about key issues on the minds of German parliamentarians,” reports RTE.
Later, the Tánaiste will deliver remarks and engage with members of the Irish community in Berlin during a reception at the ambassador’s residence.
He said: “I am looking forward to meeting with members of the Irish community in Berlin. Berlin is home to an active and vibrant Irish diaspora, including a thriving GAA club scene, a young professionals network, as well as artists who played a pivotal role in the Zeitgeist Irland 24 project,” reports RTE.
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