On July 1, Ireland formally assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time as the bloc faces significant challenges including growing geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, the climate and digital transitions, and the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security in a rapidly changing world.
On July 7, Taoiseach Micheál Martin set out Ireland’s priorities during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, pledging his country’s plans to enhance EU competitiveness, values, and security, under the banner of “strength with unity.”
Welcoming Ireland’s Taoiseach, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said, “We are entering a critical six months for our continent. With the Irish Presidency’s leadership and focus on competitiveness, security and values, we are pulling in the same direction, the European Parliament said in a press release.
“The coming months are an opportunity to act together on some transformative files and deliver the progress people demand of us. The European Parliament will be a trusted partner,” Metsola said.
On competitiveness Martin said the Presidency will work to eliminate barriers, tackle unnecessary regulatory burdens, and boost internal market trade.
On external trade, the Irish Presidency will seek to build an EU-U.S. trade and investment relationship that benefits both, and work for a close and constructive partnership with the UK. The Presidency will continue to deepen the EU’s trade relationships with partners such as India, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
The Irish Presidency will work with MEPs, Martin said, to conclude the European grids package, as part of their focus on enhancing Europe’s security of supply and the development of sustainable, affordable, and secure energy systems.
EU enlargement
Ireland will aim to complete accession negotiations with Montenegro, to make substantial progress with Moldova and Ukraine, and to advance the countries of the Western Balkans along their EU accession trajectories as far as they are ready to go. The Irish Presidency will, the Taoiseach said, continue to support EU efforts toward stability in Lebanon, Syria, and the wider Gulf region, as well as reaffirming the EU’s long-standing commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West bank as dire, Mr. Martin said Europe must do more.
European security resilience
On security, he said the Presidency would continue its unwavering support for Ukraine, and that political, financial, military and humanitarian support for the country must be coupled with ever-increasing pressure on Russia, including tighter and stronger sanctions.
The Irish Presidency said it will support deep collaboration to build European resilience, particularly in the face of sophisticated hybrid threats, and to advance maritime and cyber security.
The Taoiseach said he believed agreement in the Council on the EU’s next long-term budget can be achieved by the end of 2026, and that the Irish Presidency will set out its thinking on this in a new negotiating box in the autumn.
In their responses, MEPs welcomed the Irish Presidency’s focus on competitiveness, security and European resilience, expressing support for priorities aimed at strengthening the EU’s economy and strategic autonomy. Competitiveness featured prominently throughout the debate, with speakers calling for higher productivity, lower regulatory burdens, affordable energy and progress on the single market, while enlargement was identified as a key geopolitical priority.
The EU’s next long-term budget was also raised by several speakers, with MEPs debating how to balance investment in defense and competitiveness with continued support for cohesion policy, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and social priorities.
There were references to migration and climate issues too, while a number of speakers brought up housing, support for Ukraine, the rule of law, and online safety for children, the EU Parliament said.