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Department of the Taoiseach Roinn an Taoisigh

Developments in relation to the European Union

Report to the Houses of the for the period Jan 2019 - June 2019

Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2019 – June 2019

Taoiseach travelled to Brussels for meetings with EU Institutions, 6th February

The Taoiseach travelled to Brussels for a series of meetings on 6 February 2019. The Taoiseach met , President of the , to discuss the latest political developments in London. The Taoiseach also met with Michel Barnier, Chief EU Negotiator on , and Guy Verhofstadt, Chair of the European ’s Brexit Steering Group, for discussions on Brexit and had a short meeting with EU Commissioner . https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_travels_to_Brussels_for_meetings_with_Presidents_Juncker_Tusk.html

Taoiseach’s meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May, 8th February,

The Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Theresa May over dinner in Dublin when they briefed each other on respective engagements in Belfast and Brussels. Discussions focused on developments in Northern and the shared interest in seeing the devolved institutions restored as soon as possible. They also discussed the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop and future relations between the EU and the UK. No Link Available

Taoiseach attended EU and League of Arab States Summit, 24th - 25th February, Sharm El Sheikh

The Taoiseach attended the Summit between the EU and the League of Arab States, 24 - 25 February, in Sharm El Sheikh. The purpose of the Summit was to deepen and extend the partnership between EU and Arab countries. It was the first meeting between leaders from the two regions and marked an important milestone in efforts to deepen this partnership.

At the Summit, EU and Arab leaders agreed a joint political declaration which restated their commitment to resolving regional problems through a robust, rules-based multilateral system and shared position on issues including the Middle East Peace Process and nuclear non-proliferation.

The Taoiseach also met with UK Prime Minster Theresa May and spoke informally with Presidents Tusk and Juncker.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2019/02/24-25/

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2019 – June 2019

Taoiseach’s meeting with Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis of Lithuania, 4th March, Dublin

On 4 March, the Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Skvernelis of Lithuania in Dublin. They discussed bilateral relations between Ireland and Lithuania, as well as a range of issues across the EU agenda, including Brexit. No Link Available

Taoiseach’s meeting with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, 19th March, Dublin

On 19 March, the Taoiseach met the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in Dublin. Discussions focused on the state of play and latest developments with Brexit. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Statement_following_the_meeting_between_An_Taoiseach_and_President_Tusk.html

Taoiseach attended European Council, 21st-22nd March, Brussels

The Taoiseach attended a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 21-22 March. Brexit was the main focus. Other items on the agenda included: jobs, growth and competitiveness, external relations, climate change and efforts to combat disinformation.

The Council also met with the leaders of Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein and marked the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area.

The 27 EU leaders then had a detailed discussion about the best way forward. The Taoiseach also had a short bilateral meeting with Prime Minister May on Thursday 21 March. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/03/22/european-council-conclusions-22-march-2019/

Taoiseach travelled to Paris, 2nd April

The Taoiseach travelled to Paris on Tuesday 2 April to meet with President Macron, at his invitation. Discussions focused on developments relating to Brexit, in advance of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council on 10 April. Also discussed were bilateral relations between France and Ireland. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/An_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_to_meet_with_French_President_Emmanuel_Macron_today1.html

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2019 – June 2019

Taoiseach’s meeting with , 4th April, Dublin

The Taoiseach welcomed Chancellor Merkel to Dublin on 4 April. Discussions focused mainly on Brexit, looking ahead to the Special European Council on the 10 April in Brussels, as well as wider EU developments ahead of the European Parliament elections in May, and EU-US trade and elections in Ukraine. The Chancellor and the Taoiseach also met with people from communities and businesses along the border. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/An_Taoiseach_to_welcome_Chancellor_Merkel_to_Dublin.html

Taoiseach’s meeting with EU’s Chief Negotiator, Mr. Michel Barnier, 8th April, Dublin

The Taoiseach met with Michel Barnier in Dublin on 8 April in advance of the Special European Council on 10 April. Discussions focused on recent developments in the UK and the Withdrawal Agreement. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_speaks_with_UK_Prime_Minister_Theresa_May.html

Taoiseach attended Special Meeting of the European Council, 10th April, Brussels

The Taoiseach attended a special meeting of the European Council, in Article 50 format. Taoiseach also attended a meeting hosted by Prime Minister Michel of Belgium. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Statement_by_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_in_advance_of_the_Special_European_Council_Art_50_.html

Taoiseach travelled to the Hague, 8th May

The Taoiseach had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Rutte in The Hague on 8 May. Discussions focused on bilateral relations and the Union’s future agenda. No Link Available

Taoiseach attended Informal meeting of EU Heads of State and Government, 9th May, Romania

The Taoiseach attended an informal meeting of EU Heads of State and Government in Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May. The focus of this meeting was the strategic plans for the Union in the coming years. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2019/05/09/

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2019 – June 2019

Taoiseach attended Informal meeting of EU Heads of State and Government, 28th May, Brussels

The Taoiseach attended an Informal meeting of the EU Heads of State and Government in Brussels on the evening of 28 May. Agenda items for discussion included the outcome of the European Parliament elections and procedures for appointments to the European institutions. The Taoiseach also had a bilateral meeting with President Macron. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2019/05/28/

Taoiseach attended the European Council, 20th - 21st June, Brussels

The Taoiseach attended the European Council in Brussels on 20-21 June. Agenda items for Thursday 20 June included; the new EU Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024; High-level appointments to the EU institutions; Climate Change; Multiannual Financial Framework; European Semester; disinformation; enlargement; and external relations. On Friday 21 June, the group met in Euro Summit formation. Discussions included economic developments across the Eurozone and the strengthening of the Economic and Monetary Union. There was a separate meeting in Article 50 format about Brexit. The Taoiseach also had a bilateral meeting with Michel Barnier. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2019/06/20-21/

Taoiseach travelled to Luxembourg, 21st June

The Taoiseach travelled to Luxembourg on Friday 21 June for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Bettel, at which they discussed bilateral relations between Ireland and Luxembourg, issues on the European Council’s agenda, as well as the growing cooperation on EU issues of mutual concern.

While in Luxembourg, the Taoiseach visited the headquarters of the European Investment Bank and met with President Hoyer and Vice President McDowell. The Taoiseach also visited the European Court of Justice, where he met with the President of the Court, Koen Lenaerts, as well as the Irish Judge and Advocate General at the Court of Justice, and the Irish Judges at the General Court.

https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/An_Taoiseach_to_visit_European_Investment_Bank_and_welcomes_EUR_350m_Dublin_Airport_investment.html

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2019 – June 2019

Taoiseach attended Special meeting of the European Council, 30th June - 2nd July, Brussels

The Taoiseach attended a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels from 30 June to 2 July, where discussions focused on agreeing an approach to the high-level appointments to the EU institutions.

The Taoiseach also had a bilateral meeting with the new Prime Minister of Denmark, , and spoke by phone with President Anastasiades of Cyprus.

https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/An_Taoiseach_and_Minister_McEntee_to_travel_to_Brussels_for_a_special_meeting_of_the_European_Council_30 _June.html AND https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2019/06/30/

EU Section Department of the Taoiseach Upper Dublin 2 www.taoiseach.gov.ie www.merrionstreet.ie

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