Minister Byrne visits Moldova for St Patrick’s Day outreach

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, has today (18 March) commenced a visit to Moldova in the final leg of engagements for his St Patrick’s Day programme.

During his visit, Minister Byrne will meet with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Chief Negotiator for EU Accession, Cristina Gherasimov, whom he also welcomed to Dublin last month. Both meetings will include discussions on Moldova’s EU accession journey, particularly in the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU later this year.

Minister Byrne will also meet with State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Carolina Perebinos, to discuss bilateral and regional developments. Members of parliament and the diplomatic community, as well as members of the small Irish community in Moldova, will attend a St Patrick’s Day Reception hosted in Chișinău.

Arriving in Moldova, Minister Byrne said: “It is a great pleasure to be in Moldova to mark St Patrick’s Day. The Irish Government is committed to strengthening bilateral relations between Moldova and Ireland. The establishment of Ireland’s Embassy in Chișinău is a key part of our commitment to our bilateral relationship.

“Ireland remains a strong supporter of Moldova’s path to EU membership. I commend the Moldovan government’s commitment to reform, and the progress it has achieved, to date. We recognise that Moldova has achieved this progress while simultaneously facing unprecedented challenges, as it both navigates the impact from four years of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as defending itself against direct efforts to derail the democratic process.”

ENDS

Press Office

18 March 2026