Minister Byrne welcomes Danish and Lithuanian Ministers to Dublin

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, today (Wednesday, 7 May) welcomed the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, and the Minister of European Affairs of Denmark, Marie Bjerre, to Dublin.

The three Ministers took part in a panel discussion entitled “Presidency Horizons: Irish, Nordic and Baltic perspectives on EU Challenges”, as part of the Heads of Mission Conference organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, at Dublin Castle.

As incoming and future EU Presidencies, the three Ministers addressed the challenges and opportunities for the EU over the next 18 months. During the course of a wide-ranging discussion, the Ministers emphasised the close cooperation between Ireland and the Nordic Baltic Region and the successful implementation of the Nordic Baltic Strategy to 2025. Highlighting the changed geopolitical situation in the Nordic Baltic region, the three Ministers underlined the importance of solidarity and unity within the EU.

Minister Byrne held a bilateral meeting with his Danish counterpart, Marie Bjerre, at Dublin Castle. The Ministers discussed shared priorities within the European Union, including support for Ukraine, competitiveness and the future of EU enlargement. They also discussed Denmark’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, due to commence on 1 July 2025, exactly one year before Ireland takes up its Presidency.

Minister Byrne and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, held a bilateral meeting in Iveagh House. Reflecting on their recent joint visit to Ukraine, they discussed the strong bilateral ties between Lithuania and Ireland and the positive impact of bilateral projects such as the construction and equipping of underground school shelters across Ukraine, which Ireland and Lithuania have supported alongside the European Commission. The Ministers discussed their shared commitment to Ukraine and the importance of the EU working together across all policy areas in support of Ukraine.

Speaking at the Head of Mission Conference in Dublin Castle Minister Byrne said: ‘’I am very glad to welcome my Danish and Lithuanian counterparts to Dublin. As Ireland looks ahead to our Presidency of the Council of the European Union starting in July 2026, we believe that close contact amongst member states and a shared understanding will act as a cornerstone of a successful EU Presidency. The presence of my Danish and Lithuanian counterparts in Dublin today underlines our strength as a Union and our collective commitment to delivering EU Presidencies which serve the needs of the citizens of the EU.’’

Minister Byrne continued: “Our Nordic Baltic Strategy to 2025 has seen a strengthening of connections with a region with which we have a shared outlook across so many areas: on competitiveness, on trade and on solidarity with Ukraine.’’