merrion street

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Peter Burke TD, today welcomed his colleague, Jessika Roswall, Minister of EU Affairs of Sweden, for talks at Iveagh House.

The two Ministers discussed a number of key items currently on the European Union’s agenda, and had a full exchange on the prospects for the mid-term review of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The future enlargement of the EU was also discussed in detail, and both Ministers noted their support for the future admission of Ukraine and other new members, subject to membership criteria being reached.

There was also an opportunity for the Ministers to review the excellent bilateral relations between Ireland and Sweden. This will be enhanced by the reopening in 2024 of a resident Swedish Embassy in Dublin.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Burke said he was “delighted to welcome my friend and colleague Jessika Roswall and her delegation to Dublin.

“While we meet every month at the General Affairs Council in Brussels, it is really useful to have the opportunity to exchange views bilaterally on some of the key issues facing the European Union in a more in-depth setting.

“Ireland and Sweden are very close partners in the EU, sharing like-minded views on many core issues and working closely and collaboratively with our Nordic-Baltic partners, in particular. It’s important that we continue to build on our ambitious Nordic Strategy, first published in 2021, and increase our engagement with key partners like Sweden.

“I look forward to further valuable co-operation with Minister Roswall in the coming months as the current Commission completes its mandate and the European elections come into view.”