Minister McEntee launches the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, today welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Taoiseach Mícheál Martin TD, Tánaiste Simon Harris TD and key economic stakeholders to Iveagh House for the inaugural Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum. The Forum was hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to mark President Zelenskyy’s visit to Ireland and highlight the opportunities for closer economic relations between the two countries.
Minister McEntee highlighted the ambition of the Roadmap on the Ukraine-Ireland Partnership, which was signed by the Taoiseach and President Zelenskyy in Dublin today. The Roadmap sets out a range of areas where Ireland and Ukraine will work together, including to further build and strengthen economic cooperation. The Roadmap follows from the Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation between Ukraine and Ireland, which was signed in September 2024.
The Forum today included a panel discussion on opportunities to further develop Ireland – Ukraine investment and trade links. The discussion included participation by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Economy, Environment and Agriculture, Pavlo Kartashov and representatives from Irish businesses with strong links to Ukraine. The Forum heard closing remark by Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka.
Speaking after the Forum, Minister McEntee said:
“This forum today was about strengthening Ireland’s economic connections with Ukraine, building on already strong government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people links between our two countries. This includes the recovery of Ukraine’s economy, reconstruction following Russia’s brutal, illegal and unprovoked invasion and supporting Ukraine as it prepares for accession to the European Union. The Irish Government, our State agencies and businesses here in Ireland all have an important role to play in this endeavour.”
The Minister added:
“This Forum will meet annually and will be an important platform for all of those with a stake in the Ireland – Ukraine economic relationship to convene and to consider how we best work together to advance our shared interest in developing a more dynamic and vibrant trade and investment relationship for the benefit of people in both our countries.”