Tánaiste to attend Munich Security Conference
- Published on: 14 February 2025
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, will travel to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference.
During the Conference, the Tánaiste will meet a broad range of partners from across Europe, the Middle East and North America to discuss key foreign policy issues. This includes Russia’s ongoing illegal war in Ukraine and its impact on European and global security, the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East, and transatlantic relations.
The Tánaiste said:
"The changing global and European security context will be top of the agenda at the Munich Security Conference. Ireland’s commitment to a values-based foreign policy and to a policy of military neutrality does not insulate us from the impacts of a rapidly changing and volatile international security environment.
"In Munich, I will reaffirm Ireland’s continuing solidarity and support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression, as we approach the third anniversary of the full invasion. We remain committed to working to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. It will be important to ensure that Ukraine determines the terms, conditions and timelines for any peace agreement.
"I will also have exchanges with Arab, European and transatlantic partners on the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East. At a critical moment for the ceasefire and hostage release deal, we need to see further release of hostages, the continuation of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and a clear framework for the return of those displaced. We must also maintain space for a political solution. The only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-State solution.”