Taoiseach to meet Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Athens and to attend the informal meeting of the European Council in Cyprus
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Athens today (Thursday) for a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council, which begins in July.
The leaders will discuss priorities for Ireland’s term, as well as global issues and bilateral relations.
Following this meeting, the Taoiseach will travel to Cyprus for an informal meeting of the European Council, which will discuss geopolitical challenges, including the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the EU’s response. Leaders will also return to discussions on the EU’s next multiannual budget (MFF).
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis, the Taoiseach said:
“I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Along with Lithuania, Greece is part of our Trio EU Presidency, taking over the Presidency in the second half of next year. We are therefore working very closely together as we work to advance the priorities of the EU over the next 18 months.
“I will brief the Prime Minister on the preparations for our Presidency which will prioritise Europe’s competitiveness and security and take forward negotiations on the EU’s next multiannual budget. EU enlargement will also be a key focus.
“My discussions with Prime Minister Mitsotakis are an opportunity to hear Greece’s priorities for our Presidency as the Prime Minister and his Government look ahead to their own term in office.
“We will also reflect on the strong bilateral relations between Ireland and Greece and discuss global issues, including the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.”
On the informal meeting of the European Council, the Taoiseach added:
“Our meeting in Cyprus is an important opportunity for leaders to have a strategic discussion on the geopolitical challenges facing our Union and our collective response. The energy shock caused by the conflict in the Gulf and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is causing very significant economic hardships for our citizens. Mitigating these is a priority for EU Leaders.
“I look forward to discussing the European Commission’s proposals on how to address the impacts of the energy shock in the short term. Measures aimed at ensuring secure and affordable energy in the medium to long term, vital for our competitiveness, must also be prioritised and will be a significant focus during our EU Presidency.
“Ending the conflict is ultimately the only way to alleviate its negative consequences. The EU must support all efforts to deescalate and return to diplomacy and dialogue aimed at a negotiated outcome.
“The situation in Lebanon also needs our attention. The EU needs to support efforts to sustain the fragile ceasefire and to achieve a lasting and comprehensive settlement. The killing of UNIFIL troops is shocking and must be fully investigated. The targeting of peacekeepers must stop. We need to consider how the EU steps up its support for Lebanon, especially in the event of a permanent cessation to the fighting and as we look to the winding down of the UNIFIL mission.
“The situation in Gaza and the West Bank is also deeply worrying. The EU needs to have a serious look at all the levers at our disposal to hold Israel to account and to protect the viability of a two-state solution.
“While the focus of the world in on the war in the Middle East, steadfast support for Ukraine must continue to be prioritised. I welcome final agreement on the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine and on the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia. The formal opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine must be agreed as soon as possible.
“Agreeing the EU’s next multiannual budget will also be vital for delivering the Union’s priorities. Our discussions in Cyprus will be important for moving negotiations forward, negotiations Ireland hopes to conclude during our Presidency.”