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Minister Simon Coveney to meet with French Ministerial colleagues in Paris

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney T.D. will visit Paris today (3 December) for discussions with the French Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian. He will also meet with the French Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Clément Beaune.

Minister Coveney will exchange views on Brexit and a range of European issues of common interest with Foreign Minister Le Drian and Minister of State Beaune. Minister Le Drian and Minister Coveney will also discuss a number of matters on the UN Security Council agenda, as Ireland prepares to take up its seat at the Security Council in January.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Coveney said:

“I am very happy to be in Paris today to work on deepening the extensive and ever-important partnership between Ireland and France. Our enduringfriendship has proven invaluable this year as we have worked together to deal with the economic and social challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At this important moment, I look forward to discussing Brexit with my French colleagues. I greatly appreciate the solidaritythat France has consistently shown throughout this process. I know that we will also continue our strong record of cooperation at the UN Security Council, when Ireland takes up its seat in the coming weeks. As likeminded EU Member States, I am confident that we will have a close and constructive relationship during our term.”