Minister for Finance to meet French counterpart in Paris

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Tánaiste Simon Harris is to meet the French Finance Minister and Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

Mr Harris is traveling to France as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme, which is focused on trade promotion and economic engagement with EU partners.

Following a meeting of EU finance ministers on Tuesday morning in Brussels, the Tánaiste will travel to Paris for a series of engagements in the French capital.

A spokesman said the meetings are likely to “focus on the fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East” and the implications for the EU.

This includes issues around oil supply, which were discussed by the G7 on Monday, with France currently holding the presidency.

Mr Harris’s visit also comes ahead of Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year, for which it anticipates France will be a key partner.

He will meet French Economy Minister Roland Lescure and the Secretary General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, during the two-day visit.