Taoiseach Leo Varadkar attending special European Council meeting
- Published on: 31 January 2024
- Last updated on: 24 May 2024
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is in Brussels for a memorial service this evening for Jacques Delors, the transformational former President of the European Commission, along with a special meeting of the European Council on Ukraine and the EU Budget on Thursday.
This evening, the Taoiseach will attend a memorial service for the late Jacques Delors, who died in December, and who helped to spearhead the single market, European citizenship and the euro. This will be followed by an informal gathering of EU leaders.
At tomorrow’s special meeting of the European Council, Leaders will aim to reach agreement on the review of the EU Budget for the next four years. This is known as the Multiannual Financial Framework, and includes the level of EU funding for Ukraine between now and 2028. They are also likely to discuss the worsening situation in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking ahead of the meeting the Taoiseach said:
“It’s vital that we reach agreement this week on assistance for Ukraine and the revised EU Budget. We must finalise proposals for the four year €50 billion Ukraine Facility - a mix of grants and loans which Ukraine urgently needs to ensure the country’s financial stability and to continue to provide essential services.
“Last December we agreed as EU Leaders that we would look again at the Ukraine Facility at this week’s special meeting. We are approaching the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, and agreement on this funding would send a strong signal to the people of Ukraine that we are with them for the long haul, and a clear signal to Russia that it can not win.
“I really hope it will be possible for all 27 Member States to come together and reach agreement on the Ukraine Facility. If that is not possible, I am prepared to consider other solutions. The most important thing is to continue to support Ukraine.
“I will also discuss the devastating situation in Gaza with my counterparts and the need for an immediate ceasefire. That is the only way to prevent the loss of further innocent lives, allow access for urgently needed humanitarian assistance, and facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and other terrorist groups.
“Jacque Delors was one of the most transformative figures of his generation, who died only last December. We owe so much European progress to his vision and leadership as President of the European Commission: from the single market, and the Erasmus programme, to the first moves to European citizenship and the euro. I am pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate his life and his achievements with colleagues.”