Closing Remarks by Tánaiste Simon Harris at the Inaugural Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum

President Zelenskyy, Taoiseach, Minister Sybiha, Minister McEntee,

A Chairde – dear Friends,

On my visit to Kyiv in September last year, I was proud to join President Zelenskyy in signing an Ireland Ukraine Comprehensive Agreement on Support and Cooperation.

This Agreement made clear that Ireland will stand with the brave people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

It included an objective to initiate a two-way dialogue between Irish and Ukrainian business leaders and our two Governments with a view to deepening our economic relationship.

I am honoured to be here today – just over one year later – to see that objective transformed into a reality.

I am also heartened that the Roadmap on the Ukraine-Ireland Partnership, signed today by President Zelenskyy, means that this Economic Forum will now become an annual event.

I want to share my personal commitment, in my new role as Minister for Finance, to do all I can to ensure that this initiative leads to tangible growth in our economic relationship.

I want to thank the members of the Irish business community, in particular CRH and Kingspan who are here today - who have been vocal about the opportunities that investing in Ukraine has delivered for them. They are leading a path that I am convinced many others will follow.

Despite the many challenges that our Ukrainian friends are bravely facing up to, there are already positive stories to tell when it comes to the economic relationship between our countries.

For example, I was encouraged to see eight Irish companies attended the recent ReBuild Ukraine Conference in Warsaw, Poland (13-14 November) and know that they are all considering investing or expanding in Ukraine.

I also want to recognise the contribution of the Ukrainian diaspora to the Irish economy. Over 100,000 Ukranians now call Ireland home – more than 2% of our population.

They have put down roots here, creating businesses linkages that have enriched our economy and our communities. In the long-term, these linkages will help companies in both countries to leverage economic opportunities.

Mr President,

Ireland has been unequivocal in our support for the people of Ukraine following Russia’s unjustified and illegal aggression.

Regarding options under consideration at EU level to provide further financial assistance to Ukraine, Ireland is supportive of any option which would secure EU agreement to meet Ukraine’s critical financing needs.

Ireland supports the view that Russia should be held accountable for the appalling damage caused by its illegal invasion in Ukraine and therefore is supportive of the potential Reparations Loan initiative.

We are all aware that supporting Ukraine recovery will require significant investment and financial support.

Ireland is committed to working with our international partners to mobilise the financial resources needed to maintain essential services, repair critical infrastructure and support Ukrainian businesses as they rebuild.

We have already made significant commitments in this regard.

Ireland has consistently supported the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) efforts to invest in repairing critical infrastructure, rebuilding schools, hospitals, and securing the country’s energy supply, and will continue to do so.

In April 2025, amongst the funding and non-lethal aid which Ireland has provided is a €7 million contribution to the EIB’s EU for Ukraine Fund (EU4U), bringing the total size of the Fund to more than €410 million.

I understand the Fund has already supported a range of recovery projects across Ukraine in priority sectors such as schools and hospitals, small and medium-sized enterprises, digital and cybersecurity, and transport networks.

Ireland is also a strong supporter of the important role that that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plays in Ukraine.

In September, I announced additional funding of €35.4 million to support people in Ukraine and this funding is intended to support programmes run by implementation partners, including the EBRD.

In addition to these contributions, only last week, Ireland provided a contribution of €1.5 million to the EBRD Ukraine FIRST Programme.

The Ukraine FIRST initiative, overseen by the EBRD, supports the acceleration of large-scale infrastructure and reconstruction projects which have suffered damage and destruction as a consequence of Russian aggression.

These contributions build on past funding Ireland has provided, including €4 million to the EBRD to support small businesses in Ukraine through the Small Business Impact Fund.

Mr President,

Today’s Economic Forum represents a new phase in our cooperation. The Irish Government is committed to ensuring that our economic partnership will only strengthen from here.

That is what today’s Forum is about.

We acknowledge that Ukraine’s path to economic recovery will not be an easy one.

But you can be assured that Ireland will do all that we can to support a thriving, prosperous future for Ukraine.

Because Ireland believes in Ukraine’s future. A European future.

Go raibh maith agaibh.