From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will today (20 July) meet the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, in Dublin. The meeting comes in the first month of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Minister Byrne and Commissioner Zaharieva will take the opportunity to discuss Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities, in particular, reaching agreement on the next EU long-term budget (2028-2034), known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). During Ireland’s EU Presidency, Minister Byrne will play a central role in chairing the EU General Affairs Council, which deals with negotiations concerning the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Byrne said: “I look forward to discussing with Commissioner Zaharieva how we can advance agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework, which will provide the long-term funding for research and investment, that will help Europe deliver the technological breakthroughs of the future.

“Ireland is already working with our EU partners to negotiate an EU budget that delivers for European households and businesses into the future. Reaching timely agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework will mean every EU Member State can make the most of the opportunities under the budget, from 1 January 2028 onwards.”

The Minister continued: “Last week, I chaired the first EU General Affairs Council under Ireland’s EU Presidency and underlined the importance of us all working towards a timely agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework. I have been actively engaging fellow EU Member States, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, and I greatly value my meeting with Commissioner Zaharieva today, as part of this ongoing process.”