Micheál Martin heads to Ayia Napa as resort town plays host to leaders from across EU

LAST UPDATE | 4 hrs ago

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN is heading off to Cyprus today – the member state which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Ireland is set to take over the presidency for six months beginning in July, an event which will involve many meetings across the country with high-profile guests.

Martin is set to meet other European leaders for an informal meeting of the European Council in Cyprus, but he has a quick stop in Athens, Greece first to meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

EU leaders will welcome Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Cyprus to celebrate the release of a €90 loan for Kyiv after a prolonged deadlock.

Preliminary approval for the badly needed money came yesterday but a definitive sign-off is expected before European Union leaders hold talks with Zelenskyy.

The funds had been blocked after a bitter row broke out between Hungary’s nationalist premier Viktor Orban and Zelenskyy.

But ater 16 years in power, Orban suffered a crushing election defeat to pro-EU opposition figure Peter Magyar in an election this month.

Today’s meeting in Cyprus is the latest foreign trip in a series that proceeds Ireland’s takeover of the EU presidency.

Along with Lithuania and Ireland, Greece is part of the Trio EU Presidency, taking over the title in the second half of next year. Groups of three member states holding successive presidencies work together closely as a ‘trio’.

The leaders will discuss priorities for Ireland’s term, as well as global issues and bilateral relations.

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Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach said: “I will brief the Prime Minister on the preparations for our Presidency which will prioritise Europe’s competitiveness and security and take forward negotiations on the EU’s next multiannual budget. EU enlargement will also be a key focus.

“My discussions with Prime Minister Mitsotakis are an opportunity to hear Greece’s priorities for our Presidency as the Prime Minister and his Government look ahead to their own term in office.”

Martin will then make his way to Cyprus to meet with the European heads of state.

The first stop of the trip is Ayia Napa, a Mediterranean resort town on the southeast coast of Cyprus, known for its nightlife.

Martin will meet EU leaders and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, here for a working dinner.

On Friday, the Taoiseach will head to Cyprus capital Nicosia for the informal meeting of the European Council.

The council is expected to discuss geopolitical challenges, including the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the EU’s response. Leaders will also return to discussions on the EU’s next multiannual budget. 

The Taoiseach said he looks forward to discussing the European Commission’s proposals on how to address the impacts of the energy shock caused by war in Iran.

“Measures aimed at ensuring secure and affordable energy in the medium to long term, vital for our competitiveness, must also be prioritised and will be a significant focus during our EU Presidency,” he added.

“Ending the conflict is ultimately the only way to alleviate its negative consequences. The EU must support all efforts to deescalate and return to diplomacy and dialogue aimed at a negotiated outcome.”

He said the leaders also need to discuss the situation in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the continued prioritisation of support for Ukraine.

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