Taoiseach to raise Ireland's proposal to recognise Palestine with von der Leyen

Kenneth Fox

Updated at 08:56

Taoiseach Simon Harris will raise Ireland’s intention to formally recognise the State of Palestine when he meets European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursdsay.

A group of European Union member states, including Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia and Malta, will put the matter on the agenda of both the next European Council meeting in April and also on the agenda of the next meeting of foreign ministers.

As The Irish Times reports, sources said: “We want to keep the momentum up. There is a growing determination to do this tied to the peace initiative. We want a concrete proposal [for recognising Palestine] to be put forward."

After travelling to Brussels, the Taoiseach will then move on to Poland where he will attend a summit organised by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, at which he's expected to again call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

It comes as Simon Harris emphasised his commitment to Anglo-Irish relations and support for Ukrainian sovereignty, after calls to UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Mr Harris and Mr Sunak discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, the resumption of powersharing in Northern Ireland, developments since Brexit and the recent North-South Ministerial Council.

Mr Harris said that “the British-Irish relationship is of huge importance” and he would continue to develop it.

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, saying how important he views his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

Wednesday marks the 26th anniversary since the historic peace deal was signed.

“With this week’s re-establishment of the North South Ministerial Council, the Taoiseach and the First Minister and deputy First Minister looked forward to renewed, positive North-South engagement in the months ahead,” a statement said.

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Mr Zelenskiy, and said he is “fully committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Good discussion this afternoon with the President of Ukraine @ZelenskyyUa.

As Taoiseach, I am fully committed to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/Qli9rdXLiz

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 10, 2024