“I look forward to discussions over the next two days with my fellow EU leaders on a range of important issues, including on the international front and on the future of the European Union.

"We will revert to our discussions on the package of appointments to lead the EU institutions. At a time of great challenge for our Union, we need a strong team and we need that team in place as soon as possible to get on with the work of delivering for our citizens. I look forward to the European Council completing its work on the appointments and I hope that the European Parliament can complete its work next month.

"We will also consider a new Strategic Agenda that will set the priorities for the EU for the next five years, providing strategic guidance to the newly elected and appointed leaders of the institutions. I want to see an ambitious strategic agenda that holds firm to the EU values and its positions as a leader in the world on protecting our international rules-based order, promoting sustainable development and combating climate change. We need a prosperous Union built around a well-functioning Single Market that delivers jobs and prosperity, underpins our food security and that enables us to put in place the necessary tools needed to tackle the many challenges we face, providing security for our citizens. This is a very important document that will also help shape the priorities for Ireland’s presidency of the EU in 2026.

"The other items on the European Council’s agenda demonstrate the serious challenges we face.

"I look forward to having an exchange with President Zelenskyy when I will reiterate Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine. The EU must continue to deliver on our promise to be with Ukraine in their fight against ongoing Russian aggression for as long as it takes. It is important that this European Council is in a position to welcome agreements that will provide more military assistance to Ukraine, both lethal and non-lethal, as well as longer-term security guarantees. Building on the recent Summit on Peace in Ukraine, it is also important that the EU works to rally international support for a just peace based on the UN charter.

"I am particularly pleased that this weeks’ European Council will be able to welcome the holding of Intergovernmental Conferences with Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro, important steps in their road towards EU membership, which is the ultimate security guarantee for these countries. The EU must also be clear when those aspiring to be EU members do not live up to the Union’s democratic standards. It is very important that the European Council sends a strong message to the leadership in Georgia that their recent actions on passing laws that do not live up to these standards will damage their country’s EU perspective. At the same time we need to send a message of hope to the people of Georgia that we stand ready to help them deliver on their EU aspirations.

"The situation in the Middle East will also rightfully feature strongly in our discussions. I will be pushing my fellow EU leaders to use our voice in support of international law and to exert appropriate leverage on the parties – including the Israeli Government – to reverse a trajectory that is exacting an unacceptable human toll and is putting the security of the region at risk. We must be clear in urging all parties to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735, to deliver an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostage and a surge in desperately needed humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We need to provide further support to the Palestinian Authority and recommit ourselves to doing all we can to support a peace process based on the two-state solution as the only way to deliver a just and lasting peace.

"We will also discuss the situation in Lebanon, where there are over 300 Irish troops serving with UNIFIL. The escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah is of growing concern and we will urge the parties to exercise restraint. Otherwise there is a risk of a wider regional conflict with all the cataphoric consequences that will bring for the people of the region already suffering terribly from instability and conflict."