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Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D. to visit Sweden and Denmark for St Patrick’s Day

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., tomorrow begins a visit to Sweden and Denmark as part of the Government's programme of ministerial visits around the world to mark St. Patrick’s Day 2019. 

The visit offers Minister McEntee the opportunity to deepen further the excellent relations Ireland enjoys with both Sweden and Denmark, two important EU partners. During her visit, the Minister will engage with Irish communities, Irish companies and State Agencies in both countries Greenings in honour of St Patrick’s Day will take place in both Stockholm and Copenhagen.  The Minister will hold bilateral political meetings in both Stockholm and Copenhagen, which will include discussions on Brexit, the EU Strategic Agenda and the next EU Multi-annual Financial Framework.

Ahead of the meetings, the Minister said:

“I am very pleased to have this opportunity to speak directly with my Swedish and Danish counterparts on our positions on the evolving issues facing the EU, particularly Brexit.

“During my visit to Stockholm and Copenhagen, I will also meet Irish communities and businesses. It is a great honour to have Greenings for St Patrick’s Day happening in both cities, including the iconic Vasa ship in Stockholm, and an innovative Greening with Meaning in Copenhagen, where green kayaks will be used to help collect rubbish from Copenhagen harbour.”

Ireland has strong relationships with Sweden and Denmark, with our commitment to our shared values further underpinned by our EU membership.

Minister McEntee’s programme is a collaborative effort by Team Ireland in Sweden and Denmark, which includes the Embassies, Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, underpinning the Government's Global Ireland programme.