Taoiseach to meet European Council President António Costa in Dublin

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will welcome the President of the European Council, António Costa, to Ireland next Tuesday (9 December).

President Costa will visit Dublin as part of his regular visits to EU capitals for discussions with European Council leaders.

The Taoiseach and President will discuss the agenda for the meeting of the European Council on 18-19 December, which includes Ukraine, the Middle East, the EU's next multiannual budget (MFF), EU enlargement, competitiveness and European security and defence.

They will also look ahead to 2026 and Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of next year.

Ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach said:

"I look forward to welcoming António Costa to Government Buildings for an important conversation on many of the pressing items on the European Council agenda.

"Following President Zelenskyy's historic visit to Ireland this week, we will discuss US-led peace efforts and the need to step up our support for Ukraine across all strands, including financially. We will also discuss the need to maintain pressure on Russia to end the war, including through sanctions.

"We will also review the situation in the Middle East following the adoption of the recent UN resolution on Gaza and how the EU is helping to underpin the ceasefire agreement and can help to secure a lasting peace based on the two-state solution.

"I will brief President Costa on our preparations for assuming the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of next year. Accelerating our work to secure the Union's future competitiveness as well as advancing negotiations on the Union's next seven-year budget will be important priorities for Ireland's presidency."