LIVE: European Council President and Irish PM hold joint press conference
TL;DR
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and European Council President António Costa launched Ireland's EU Council Presidency with a 'strength with unity' agenda focused on competitiveness, security, and values, while emphasizing the urgent need to finalize the EU's next multi-annual budget by year-end and maintain unified support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
🇮🇪 Irish Presidency Priorities 2 insights
'Strength with unity' motto with three pillars
Ireland's presidency agenda centers on competitiveness, values, and security, aligning with the EU's 2026 focus on becoming more autonomous through a 'one Europe, one market' implementation drive.
Ireland positioned as ideal competitiveness pilot
Costa highlighted Ireland's principled defense of multilateralism and international law as making it the right presidency to navigate external economic pressures and enhance EU autonomy.
🛡️ Ukraine & European Security 3 insights
Sustained pressure on Russia and battlefield support
Both leaders affirmed continued EU support for Ukraine including sanctions to make the war unsustainable, with Costa noting the tide is turning thanks to Ukrainian courage combined with European support.
Irish neutrality context and defense contributions
Martin defended Ireland's military neutrality while emphasizing its constructive participation in EU cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, noting Ireland hosts 80,000 Ukrainian refugees.
Two-state solution for Middle East peace
The EU reaffirmed that lasting peace can only be achieved through the two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side within secure and recognized borders.
💶 EU Budget & Transatlantic Trade 3 insights
Year-end deadline for next EU budget agreement
Leaders emphasized the necessity of reaching agreement on the Multi-annual Financial Framework by December, with Ireland presenting a revised negotiation box in October including ambitious proposals for new own resources.
New revenue streams to fund ambitions
To close the gap between ambitions and national contributions without increasing member state burdens, the EU is debating eight proposals for new own resources including potential digital services taxes.
EU-US trade agreement enters force
A new EU-US trade agreement took effect immediately, providing predictability for the world's largest trading relationship despite recent US tariff threats regarding European digital taxes.
🌍 Enlargement & Global Partnerships 2 insights
Accelerating Western Balkan accession
Costa identified Montenegro as a priority candidate, stating its accession negotiations could finalize before the end of Ireland's six-month presidency, while Martin affirmed support for Ukraine's EU membership path.
Expanding trade network beyond US
The EU currently maintains 84 trade agreements with 27 more under negotiation, including planned deals with Australia, India, and Indonesia to extend prosperity and stability.
Bottom Line
The EU must urgently agree on a sufficiently funded multi-annual budget with new own resources by year-end to match its strategic ambitions on defense, competitiveness, and enlargement while maintaining unified pressure on Russia.
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