Press release
Minister Coveney attends Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) in Brussels
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney will join his fellow Trade Ministers at a formal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade Formation) in Brussels today. Commission Executive Vice President Dombrovskis will represent the European Commission at the meeting which will be chaired by Mr Johan Forssell, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development Cooperation, on behalf of the Swedish Presidency.
Discussions at the meeting will focus on the EU’s trading relationships with the US and China as well as preparations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) which will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE in February 2024.
Speaking ahead of the Council meeting today Minister Coveney said:
"Our trade relationship with the US is hugely significant and it is a welcome opportunity to engage with my fellow trade ministers in advance of the meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council in Luleå, Sweden on 30-31 May. This will be the fourth meeting of the TTC which has become a vital platform for EU-US dialogue on trade and technology. I am also looking forward to discussing the EU’s trade relationship with China."
Commenting further on the WTO, Minister Coveney stated:
"The EU’s engagement with our international partners at WTO-level helps us to advocate for the benefits of an open, rules-based, sustainable international trade regime. Such engagement is vital in the lead up to MC13 as we work with likeminded members toward re-invigorating the WTO and placing it at the heart of International Trade while achieving EU Trade Policy objectives."