Press release
Visit of Charles Michel, President of the European Council
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Issued by the Government Press Office
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, will welcome the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to Dublin this Thursday, 8 October. The visit takes place ahead of next week’s meeting of the European Council.
The Taoiseach and President Michel will meet in Farmleigh to discuss issues on the agenda of the European Council, including the ongoing Brexit negotiations, EU coordination on the health and economic impacts of Covid-19, climate action and how to deepen the EU’s relationship with Africa.
Speaking on the eve of the visit, the Taoiseach said,
“It is a great pleasure to welcome President Michel to Dublin. His visit comes ahead of a meeting of the European Council at which we will be discussing a number of very important issues – including the Brexit negotiations. I hope that, as negotiations intensify, it will be possible to find a means to bridge the considerable gaps that remain between the EU and UK positions. As EU leaders have stated repeatedly, we want an agreement, but it cannot be at any price. The EU has also made it clear that the UK needs to demonstrate its commitment to full and faithful implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland. Trust in this regard urgently needs to be restored.
“We will also explore how best to step up our ambition on climate action; how to improve our coordination on the health and economic impacts of Covid-19, supporting Europe’s recovery; and how to deepen the EU’s relationship with Africa. On all of these issues, Ireland will continue to engage positively with our EU partners in the wider global interest.”
Ends