merrion street

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, T.D., joined his EU Ministerial colleagues at a videoconference meeting of Ministers for European Affairs today. Ministers prepared for the European Council meeting on 25-26 March. At that meeting, leaders will discuss the Covid-19 pandemic; the Single Market, industrial policy, digital and the economy; the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean; and EU relations with Russia.  Ministers had an exchange of views on the European Semester and received an update on the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Speaking about the meeting, Minister Byrne said: 

This is an important meeting of the General Affairs Council, as we prepare for what is now a virtual European Council later this week. At that meeting, EU leaders will discuss issues of direct concern for our citizens, not least ongoing coordination in relation to Covid-19 and the roll-out of the vaccination programme. There will also be a discussion of EU economic policy relating to the Single Market and industrial strategy. We must continue to work together to find a path to recovery from the current crisis and to meet the shared challenges of the green and digital transitions. My ministerial colleagues and I were updated at our meeting today on plans for the Conference on the Future of Europe. This Conference will provide an opportunity to consider the challenges that the European Union faces and for our citizens to have their say on our common future.  I look forward to announcing our national plans for the Conference over the coming months, in advance of the official launch of the Conference in May.