Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomes European Council President Costa and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine for start of EU Presidency

On the first day of Ireland's eighth EU Presidency, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is today (Wednesday) welcoming the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to Dublin to participate in a formal ceremony in Dublin Castle to mark the occasion.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, the Taoiseach will hold a bilateral meeting with President Costa in Government Buildings to discuss priorities for Ireland's six months in office.

In Dublin Castle, following the conclusion of the opening ceremony, the Taoiseach will hold a joint meeting with President Costa and President Zelenskyy, followed by a bilateral meeting between the Taoiseach and President Zelenskyy.

Speaking ahead of the meetings, the Taoiseach said:

"I am delighted to welcome President Costa and President Zelenskyy to Dublin today for the beginning of Ireland's Presidency of the EU.

"This is a very important moment for our country as we take on the Presidency for the eighth time, and I am very grateful to both Presidents for helping us mark the occasion with an opening ceremony in Dublin Castle at which we will raise EU and Ukrainian flags.

"In my meeting with President Costa I look forward to discussing how we can work closely together to deliver our ambitious policy programme.

"We want to improve Europe's competitiveness - making life easier for our businesses and delivering quality jobs to its people.

"We want to defend the key values that underpin our Union, protecting our democracy and keeping our citizens safe.

"We are ambitious about what we want to achieve together in coming years, so we need a budget to support that. I will discuss with President Costa how our teams can work closely together to reach agreement in negotiations on the EU's next multi-annual budget by the end of the year.

"Ukraine is part of our European family, so I look forward to reiterating to President Zelenskyy's that Ireland and the EU will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. Supporting Ukraine will be an important priority for us during our term.

"In our meetings today, we will also be discussing how to increase pressure on Russia so that the cost of continuing its illegal war becomes unsustainable.

"We will also discuss how to ensure that the EU plays a full role in ensuring a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine and how to advance negotiations on Ukraine's future membership of the EU. The formal opening of negotiations last month was a very significant milestone, and we want to maintain and build on that momentum. EU membership will be an essential part of guaranteeing Ukraine's future security.

"A strong EU means a strong Ireland, and unity is the EU's biggest strength. As the motto for our Presidency states: Ní neart go cur le chéile - Strength with unity."