Taoiseach to discuss energy crisis, Ukraine with Macron in Paris

‘Relations between Ireland and France have never been better,’ Martin says ahead of Thursday meeting

France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a meeting last February. They will have talks at the Élysée palace in Paris on Thursday afternoon. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty
France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a meeting last February. They will have talks at the Élysée palace in Paris on Thursday afternoon. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to meet French president Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée palace in Paris on Thursday afternoon.

The leaders will discuss a number of issues during a working lunch including energy, the global economic outlook and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

During his visit Mr Martin will also attend the Irish College, home of the Centre Culturel Irlandais (Irish Cultural Centre), where he will meet representatives of the Irish Community in France.

During the evening, he will deliver the keynote address at the Ireland France Business Awards dinner.

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“[The visit] comes at a time when relations between Ireland and France have never been better,” Mr Martin said ahead of his departure.

“We will also, of course, discuss the big challenges facing Europe and the wider world [including] energy, the slowing economic outlook, and the immoral war Russia is waging on Ukraine.

“As winter approaches, and as Russia continues its relentless attacks on vital civilian infrastructure, Ukraine’s citizens are facing into a very difficult winter without heat and electricity. I will be discussing with President Macron how the EU can continue to provide the humanitarian support Ukraine will need.”

On Friday, Mr Martin will attend a signing ceremony for the Celtic Inter-Connector - a project linking electricity grids in Ireland and France – which will also be attended by Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan and the French minister for energy transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

The Taoiseach will address a business breakfast at the Irish Embassy on Friday morning which will focus on energy cooperation between the two countries.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times