Plan for major European summit in Ireland next year
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
A proposal for Ireland to host a major summit of European leaders next year is being presented to Cabinet by the Tánaiste.
Simon Harris will seek agreement on Tuesday for Ireland to host a summit of the European Political Community (EPC), a group consisting of the heads of 47 countries as well as representatives from EU bodies and the Council of Europe.
The EPC, which has met several times since it was established after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is designed as a forum for political and strategic discussions about Europe’s future.
Russia and Belarus have been excluded from the summits. Representatives from Nato and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have also previously been invited.
Mr Harris is proposing to hold the event during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.
He is expected to tell his Cabinet colleagues that the presidency will be essential for Ireland’s position, influence and reputation in Europe.
Ireland is due to hold the EU presidency between July 1st and December 31st next year. It will be the eighth time Ireland has held the role, and the first since 2013.
The Government sees this as a key opportunity to centre Ireland on the world stage and shape the EU agenda at a time of major political change.
It is understood that “substantive scoping work” to find venues for presidency meetings in Ireland has already begun.
The Cabinet will be told that extensive preparatory work is now needed across all government departments and ministers are expected to ramp up engagement with EU institutions and other states.
Through the term of the presidency, ministers will also be required to chair Council meetings and represent the Council in interactions with EU institutions and other international bodies.
It is envisaged that the Irish bid for the EPC would be held at about the same time as an informal meeting of the European Council.
The EPC summit will involve up to 47 heads of state and government from across the European continent visiting Ireland next year.