Minister Byrne visits Kosovo and North Macedonia

• Minister Byrne to meet President of North Macedonia and Prime Minister of Kosovo
• visit to focus on EU integration ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU
• increased engagement by Ireland in the Western Balkans region

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, is in Kosovo and North Macedonia this week (28-31 July), with a focus on EU integration and deepening Ireland’s engagement in the Western Balkans region.

Minister Byrne’s visit to Kosovo and North Macedonia is an opportunity to renew bilateral relations with the two Western Balkan countries. Less than a year before the start of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Minister Byrne will discuss EU integration efforts in both countries, and reiterate Ireland’s support for their respective EU candidacies.

Commenting on his visit, Minister Byrne said: “EU enlargement will be a key focus during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. I am visiting Kosovo and North Macedonia to underline Ireland’s support for the EU perspectives of both countries. I want to encourage and support the governments in Pristina and Skopje, in their efforts to implement the necessary reforms to align with EU standards, in order to deliver real progress on their EU integration during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU next year.”

In Kosovo, following his visit to the KFOR Mission HQ at Camp Film City, Minister Byrne will undertake the opportunity to discuss progress on the path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia, under the framework of the EU-brokered Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

Minister Byrne’s visit comes at a time when Ireland is deepening its engagement across the Western Balkans region. In September 2025, Ireland will open two new resident Embassies in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also developing a new Strategy for the Western Balkans.

Minister Byrne will hold Ministerial meetings in Kosovo, including with:

• Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
• Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo
• Besnik Bislimi, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chief Negotiator of the Republic of Kosovo
• Ejup Maqedonci, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kosovo

In North Macedonia, this will include meetings with:

• Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, President of the Republic of North Macedonia
• Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia

ENDS

Press Office

28 July 2025