Taoiseach greeted by French president on arrival for talks in Paris

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was embraced by Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris ahead of a meeting between the two leaders.

The Middle East, Ukraine and EU security are expected to be discussed during the engagement on Thursday.

The Taoiseach’s visit is part of preparations as Ireland takes up the presidency of the EU Council from July.

The EU Council, representing the EU’s heads of government and ministers, is in charge of legislation and involves gatherings of EU ministers with similar briefs.

For six months, Ireland will take responsibility for planning and chairing EU Council meetings and negotiations, and representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission.

Bilateral relations between France and Ireland are excellent at all levels - political, economic, cultural and people-to-people - underpinned by our historical friendship and shared EU membership

About 30,000 delegates will visit Ireland over the six-month period, with meetings taking place over four-and-a-half months when the breaks over August and the Christmas period are excluded.

Departmental officials are also finalising Ireland’s policy priorities, which are to be published next month.

Macron and Martin are expected to discuss preparations for the presidency and the focus on competitiveness, the EU’s next budget and security, as well as EU enlargement, as part of Ireland’s tenure.

The two leaders will also discuss international issues such as the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Martin said Ireland would be taking the helm of the EU Council presidency at “a time of great challenge and uncertainty” in the world.

“I look forward to discussing with President Macron his priorities for our term in office and how we can work together to improve the lives of Europe’s citizens and enterprises,” he said.

“I will brief the president on our plans to focus on improving EU competitiveness, negotiating the union’s next budget, and security. We will also seek to make progress on EU enlargement.

“I also look forward to discussing global challenges, including conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.

While in Paris, Martin will visit the Centre Culturel Irlandais, where he will announce the launch of a new archival project to improve access to historic documents related to Ireland in French archives.

With the Paris branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Taoiseach will present a copy of the first English-Irish dictionary, An Foclóir Béarla-Gaoidheilge, or Begly’s Dictionary, which was first published in Paris in 1732, to the CCI.

He will also deliver the keynote address at the conference, Tearmann thar Toinn: The Irish Language In Europe.

Martin said: “Bilateral relations between France and Ireland are excellent at all levels – political, economic, cultural and people-to-people – underpinned by our historical friendship and shared EU membership.

“While in Paris, I am also looking forward to marking the deep cultural ties and shared heritage with France through a number of events at the Centre Culturel Irlandais, the home of Irish culture in France.

“I will launch the Journey To Europe: Archives Of The Irish In France project, which will identify and digitise material of significant Irish interest housed in French archives.

“This project will improve our understanding of our deep historical relationship.

“In my keynote address, I will also reflect on the Irish language in Europe, both past and present, as we continue to promote our native language as a vibrant part of our cultural identity.”