Tánaiste to meet with new German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Berlin

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, is in Berlin today (4 July) to meet with his new German counterpart Johann Wadephul, Federal Foreign Minister.

Their discussions will focus on the efforts to secure an EU-US Trade Deal, the current situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, defence and security, as well as European competiveness and the next EU budget.

The Tánaiste and Minister Wadephul will also discuss the positive trajectory in Irish-German relations, which intensified significantly under the Global Ireland programme including through the opening of Irish Consulates in Frankfurt in 2019 and Munich in 2024, and through the development of the Ireland-Germany Joint Plan of Action, now in its third iteration.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Tánaiste said: “I look forward to visiting Germany and holding my first official meeting with Minister Wadephul.

“Germany is a vital bilateral partner for Ireland at the political level as well as a key economic counterpart, being Ireland’s second largest source of foreign direct investment and third largest trading partner.

“I will be interested to hear Minister Wadephul’s perspective on key issues on the EU and international agenda, particularly the efforts to secure an EU-US Trade deal ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.

“We will also discuss security and defence, the Middle East, Ukraine, and EU enlargement and reform. I will also set out Ireland’s priorities in these areas.”

The Tánaiste will take part in a site visit to the Siemens Energy Innovation Centre, on which the Tánaiste commented: “Siemens Energy has played a key role in major strategic infrastructure projects in Ireland, including Moneypoint, the Celtic Interconnector and the Greenlink Interconnector. I am looking forward to this visit on the centenary of the inception of the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme, which had a transformative impact on the modernisation of Ireland, as well as on Irish-German bilateral relations.”

The Tánaiste will also have a working lunch with Jens Spahn, Leader of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Party in the Bundestag. He commented: “The meeting with Jens Spahn will be an opportune moment to hear directly about key issues on the minds of German parliamentarians.”

To conclude the visit, the Tánaiste will meet with members of the Irish community in Berlin. He said: “I am looking forward to meeting with members of the Irish community in Berlin. Berlin is home to an active and vibrant Irish diaspora, including a thriving GAA club scene, a young professionals network, as well as artists who played a pivotal role in the Zeitgeist Irland 24 project.”

ENDS

Press Office

4 July 2025