James Lawless
Ceist:71. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his meeting with the French Secretary of State for European Affairs in October 2021. [56379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 November 2021
Ceisteanna (71)
Freagraí scríofa
As part of my work on deepening the extensive and important partnership between Ireland and France, I have met my French counterpart, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, on many occasions including at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I also met him during the visit of President Macron to Ireland in August of this year.
I last had a formal meeting with the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, when he accompanied Minister Le Drian on a visit to Ireland last May. I also met him during the visit of President Macron in August. I did not meet Secretary of State Beaune in October. However, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. met with Secretary of State Beaune in Paris on October 5th , ahead of the 2021 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
At the meeting, they discussed major current issues on the EU agenda, including EU-UK relations. The two Ministers also focused on the upcoming French presidency of the Council of the EU and the Conference on the Future of Europe. As European Affairs Minister of the incoming EU presidency, Minister Beaune will play a vital role as Co-Chair of the Executive Board overseeing the Conference on the Future of Europe next spring.
Ireland enjoys very warm relations with France. The visit of President Macron to Ireland, in August, was a strong signal of the ever stronger bilateral relations being forged between our countries. As part of that visit, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and I signed a Joint Plan of Action between our two countries. This is an ambitious plan which will deepen practical cooperation across a number of sectors. It will bring tangible benefits for our businesses, schools, higher education institutions and research institute, cultural institutions, as well as ordinary citizens.
In the period ahead, my Department will be working to deliver on the priorities outlined in this Joint Plan. We also look forward to working with our French counterparts during their Presidency of the Council of the EU.