Minister Byrne joins EU Ministers for key discussions on future of Europe

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will attend an Informal Meeting of the General Affairs Council in Copenhagen today. The Minister will join his counterparts from across the EU, as well as EU candidate and potential candidate countries, to discuss the future of Europe and European enlargement.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Byrne said: “In late July, I travelled to Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro to discuss their EU candidacies. This follows recent visits I made to Ukraine and Moldova.

“During these visits, I listened to their progress, and their concerns, and outlined how Ireland will continue to champion enlargement as a force for transformational change, including during our upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of next year.

“I welcome today’s opportunity to discuss, with the candidate countries and potential candidate countries, and with my EU partners, how we can help them address the challenges that they face as they prepare to join our Union.”

The informal General Affairs Council will also discuss the rule of law. Minister Byrne noted that: “The Rule of Law is a core value of the EU, it underpins the proper functioning of the Union, ensures respect for human rights, judicial independence and the effective operation of our Single Market.

“Unfortunately, notwithstanding existing tools aimed at safeguarding the Rule of Law, we have seen measures enacted in Member States that are completely at odds with the European values we have a duty to uphold.

“I look forward to discussing with my EU colleagues how we can better ensure the respect for the rule of law across the Union."

At the informal Ministerial, Ministers will also discuss what reforms and changes the Union might need to make to prepare for future enlargement and to ensure that the EU remains fit for purpose given the complex and new threats and challenges that it faces.

On the margins of the informal Ministerial, Minister Byrne will also have meetings with his German, Spanish, French, and Portuguese counterparts on bilateral and EU issues, ahead of Ireland taking over the Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026.

ENDS

Press Office

1 September 2025