Taoiseach Micheál Martin attending EU Leader’s informal retreat

• Taoiseach is joining fellow EU leaders in Brussels for strategic discussions on EU-US relations and European defence.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Brussels today (Monday) to join EU leaders for a strategic discussion of two important issues on their agenda: EU-US relations and European defence. As key partners for the EU in relation to Europe's security and defence, Leaders will be joined for part of their discussions by the Secretary General of NATO, Marc Rutte, and by the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach said:

"Today's discussions are important in terms of both the security and prosperity of European citizens.

At a time of heightened tensions around the world, we need a strong transatlantic relationship, and a Europe equipped to deal with the new types of hybrid threats.

Ireland is and will remain militarily neutral, and that is well understood and respected by our fellow EU States.

Our policy of military neutrality does not remove us from the new types of security threats, nor compromise us helping to create a more secure EU as we continue to invest and modernise our own Defence Forces.

Continuing support for Ukraine will also be an important part of today's discussions as it continues to defend itself against Russia's brutal and immoral invasion.

I am pleased that Prime Minister Starmer will be joining us for part of our discussions - the UK is an important partner for the EU - and I look forward to meeting him later."