merrion street

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, and Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee TD, will travel to Budapest this morning (4 January 2018) and onwards to Sofia on Friday (5 January 2018), for meetings with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán and Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov. These visits are part of the Government’s ongoing programme of engagement with EU leaders in the context of discussions on the Future of Europe and Brexit negotiations.

The meeting with Prime Minister Borissov is an opportunity for the Taoiseach to have detailed discussions as Bulgaria assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the next six months.

Important issues on the agenda during the Bulgarian Presidency include the EU’s multi-annual financial framework post 2020, reform of the Economic and Monetary Union, the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and advancing the digital economy. These topics will form the basis of the Taoiseach's discussions in his bilateral meetings with both Prime Ministers.

He will also discuss the Brexit negotiations, as we move into Phase 2 during which arrangements for transition and the framework for the UK's future relationship with the EU will be considered. Continuing progress will also be required on Phase 1 issues, including Irish/Northern Irish issues.

Speaking before his departure, the Taoiseach said:

“These visits to my European Council colleagues, PM Orbán and PM Borissov, in Budapest and Sofia, are a good opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our countries and the EU in 2018. I will take the opportunity to highlight Ireland's priorities for Phase 2 of the Brexit negotiations, and to thank the Prime Ministers for their support to date. I will also set out Ireland's position on key European issues including the debate on the future of Europe and the EU’s multi-annual financial framework post 2020.

“I also look forward to the discussion with PM Borissov on his ambitious Programme for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.”

Minister McEntee said:

“This is an important visit by Ireland to Hungary and Bulgaria that will help to develop and deepen relationships between our governments and our citizens. I look forward to exchanging ideas about the Future of Europe, how we see the European Union developing and how we can work together to ensure it continues to deliver for its citizens. I would also like to wish Bulgaria well as it starts its first Presidency of the EU.”