German Federal Foreign Minister (FM) Annalena Baerbock will undertake a two-day visit to Ireland from 8-9 December, on her first official visit to Ireland as Foreign Minister (FM) of the Federal Republic of Germany.
While in Ireland, FM Baerbock will meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, T.D., at Iveagh House.
Commenting on the visit, Minister Coveney said:
“I am delighted to be welcoming Minister Baerbock on her first visit as the German Federal Foreign Minister to Ireland. The German-Irish partnership has been significantly strengthened in recent years. Our cooperation on EU and international issues is extensive and of immense benefit, particularly during our tenure as a Member of the UN Security Council.”
“I look forward to both reviewing our excellent bilateral relations with the Foreign Minister and discussing urgent and topical issues such as the war in Ukraine and EU-UK relations where Germany has consistently demonstrated strong solidarity in understanding our particular national concerns.”
During their meeting, the Ministers will discuss the way forward under the Ireland-Germany Joint Plan of Action, launched in 2021. Other issues for discussion will include Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the energy situation while Minister Coveney will also brief Minister Baerbock on the latest developments in relation to EU-UK relations and implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Minister Coveney and FM Baerbock will also host a Joint Press Conference in Iveagh House at 4 pm on Thursday the 8th of December.
FM Baerbock’s other engagements in Ireland include a meeting with senior officials of the two most recent Citizens’ Assemblies (Art O’Leary regarding Biodiversity Loss and Catherine Day regarding Gender Equality). FM Baerbock will also visit the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Co Wicklow.
Notes to Editors:
The Ireland – Germany Joint Plan of Action
Since the departure of the UK from the EU, Ireland increased strategic outreach to Germany, reflected in the 2018 DFA strategy document ‘Ireland in Germany: A wider and deeper footprint’: https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/newspress/publications/DFAT_IrelandinGermanyAWiderandDeeperFootprint.pdf
An English language German Federal Government profile of FM Baerbock is available here: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/federal-cabinet/1988564-1988564
Information on the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation is available here: https://glencree.ie/about/
ENDS