Taoiseach Micheál Martin attends EU-African Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, and informal meeting of the European Council
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin will today (Monday) attend the European Union-African Union Summit in Luanda, Angola. This is the seventh summit between the heads of states and Governments of the EU and the African Union (AU) and will mark 25 years of EU-AU partnership.
Today’s sessions of the summit will see the Taoiseach and fellow leaders discuss efforts to advance peace and prosperity through multilateralism, as well as a working dinner of EU-AU leaders.
The Taoiseach will also hold a number of one-to-one meetings with fellow leaders.
Ahead of the summit, the Taoiseach will attend an informal meeting of the European Council, convened by European Council President António Costa, to discussion the latest developments with regards to Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of his attendance, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“I am looking forward to attending the EU-African Union Summit, which will mark 25 years of partnership between the two organisations. Coming from the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the EU-AU Summit again underlines the importance of the multilateral system and the centrality of partnership to address the most pressing challenges we face in an interconnected and uncertain world.
“Together with my EU colleagues, I look forward to engaging with the leaders of the African Union to discuss how best to tackle these challenges in an inclusive and sustainable way, including climate change, the digital transformation, migration and security. We will also discuss efforts to end conflicts, including in Sudan, Ukraine and the Middle East, in a just and lasting way.
“Ireland has a proud and long history, including through Irish Aid, in investing in social and economic development as well as peace and security across Africa. I will bring this experience and perspective to my engagements with African leaders.
“I will also attend an informal meeting of the European Council to continue our discussions on Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine must be a just and lasting peace. The EU will work closely with the US and Ukraine over the coming days with the aim of achieving this. The initial draft of the 28-point plan is a basis that will require additional work. I, together with the EU, have been clear on the principle that internationally recognised borders cannot be changed by force and in our steadfast support for Ukraine.”
ENDS