Minister Byrne attends meeting of EU Defence Ministers
- Foilsithe: 11 Bealtaine 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 11 Bealtaine 2026
Minister Byrne attends meeting of EU Defence Ministers
The Minister of State for Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, is today (12 May) in Brussels for a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence).
In the presence of Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister Byrne will join a discussion on EU support to Ukraine, with a focus on the latest developments in EU support, and EU-Ukraine defence-industrial cooperation.
Ministers will also discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East, with a focus on its implications for European defence and security. The discussion will touch on the threats and challenges presented by ongoing developments in the region.
The FAC (Defence) meeting will also return to the subject of the EU’s Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, which was jointly presented by the European Commission and the High Representative in October 2025.
As Minister of State for Defence, I am pleased to represent Ireland at this meeting of EU Defence Ministers, as we look ahead to the Irish EU Presidency on 1 July. This meeting takes place in an evolving and increasingly complex security environment. This is also an important moment for EU Member States to reaffirm our steadfast solidarity with, and support for, Ukraine.
I also welcome discussions on the ongoing situation in the Middle East. We remain deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf, and the implications for Lebanon particularly. I am deeply conscious of Irish Defence Forces personnel, and all peacekeepers, serving under the UNIFIL mandate, and I want to commend them for their service in the work of peace.”
Minister of State for Defence, Thomas Byrne TD