Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will participate in the March meeting of the European Council in Brussels tomorrow and Friday. The agenda will cover Ukraine, competitiveness, the Single Market and the economy, energy and migration. We will also discuss some recent developments including the Windsor Framework, the normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, and a donors' conference held in Brussels on Monday to assist those affected by the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. We will also discuss the situation in Belarus and condemn the recent long and unjustified prison sentences imposed on representatives of the Belarusian democratic opposition.

On Friday, we will meet in Euro Summit format, where we will discuss the economic and financial situation. In his contribution this afternoon, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, will discuss energy, migration and the response to the earthquakes. I will speak on all other issues.

Our meeting tomorrow will begin with an exchange with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. This will be an opportunity to share views on the most pressing of global issues, not least the violation of the UN Charter by Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the climate crisis and the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, report, and the urgent need to get progress towards the UN sustainable development goals back on track. The EU and its member states are strong supporters of the UN system, both politically and financially. Ireland has consistently promoted close EU-UN cooperation and effective multilateralism is a central element of our foreign policy.

Ireland has strongly endorsed the Black Sea grain initiative, brokered by the UN, which has allowed for the export of grain, foodstuffs and fertiliser through Ukrainian ports under Russian control. The UN Secretary-General has made extraordinary efforts to ensure its continuation. It has been crucial in mitigating the food security crisis stemming from Russia's actions. In recent days, agreement was reached to extend the deal by a further 60 days. This is welcome. This is a lifesaving initiative which we fully encourage and it is imperative that it continues as long as is needed. We must ensure full and effective implementation.

We will also discuss the wider situation in Ukraine. It is hoped that President Zelenskyy will be in a position to join us for part of our discussion via video. Ukraine continues to face immense challenges as a result of Russia's ongoing brutal aggression, which has included repeated indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. I spoke with President Zelenskyy earlier in the week, on Monday. I reaffirmed to him our continued solidarity with Ukraine for as long as it takes. He thanked Ireland for our ongoing support, including welcoming those who have sought refuge from the war here. President Zelenskyy also expressed his appreciation for our backing of Ukraine's application for EU membership and I paid tribute to the efforts Ukraine is making on necessary reforms despite the extraordinarily difficult circumstances. President Zelenskyy extended his wishes for a happy St. Patrick's Day to Ireland, and wished peace and good luck to Ireland and Irish people, and I am happy to convey that message here in the House.

The European Council is expected to reiterate our absolute condemnation of Russia's war of aggression and restate our unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its international borders. We will continue to provide strong political, economic, military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The European Council will also remain committed to playing an active role in the repair, recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, in co-ordination with international partners.

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor's office last weekend issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin in respect of the unlawful deportation of children, which is a war crime. Ireland is a strong advocate for the independence and integrity of the International Criminal Court, ICC, and its vital work in investigating and prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. We were one of about 40 countries that referred the situation in Ukraine to the ICC early last year, allowing the prosecutor to expedite investigations. We are also providing additional voluntary funding of €3 million to the ICC, which is without precedent.

The European Union is firmly committed to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The decision by the ICC can be seen as the beginning of the process of holding Russian leaders to account for the crimes and atrocities they are ordering, enabling or committing in Ukraine. Work is continuing on the establishment of an appropriate mechanism for the prosecution of the crime of aggression. A new international centre for prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine is being established in The Hague. This is an important practical step that can be taken while discussions continue on how to establish a credible, legitimate and effective tribunal to deal with this crime. I expect that we will discuss the need to increase our financial contributions to the European Peace Facility this year, so that we will have the resources needed to continue to assist Ukraine and other global partners in Africa. As has been the case to date, any increased contribution from Ireland under the European Peace Facility will go towards non-lethal equipment and provisions.

Russia's war has also had a significant impact on Ukraine's immediate neighbours, such as Moldova, and we will pledge our continued solidarity to the Government of the Republic of Moldova. As I said when I met with President of Moldova Maia Sandu in January, Ireland condemns Russia's destabilising influence on her country and stands with those defending democracy in Moldova. I look forward to travelling to Chișinău in June to attend the European Political Community meeting which she is hosting.

We will also discuss the situation in Belarus, where President Lukashenko's regime has reached a new low in its attempts to silence those who stand up in defence of democracy and fundamental freedoms. Opposition leaders were recently given long prison sentencesin absentia. This is a clear political misuse of the judiciary.

Leaders will have a broad discussion of economic issues at this week's meeting. The celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Single Market this year is a natural starting point. Without doubt, the Single Market is one of the most significant achievements of the European Union. It helped to remove the hard border between North and South and between European member states. It gave us the right to work, study and do business freely as EU citizens in any EU country. It is now the cornerstone of the European economy and a driver of innovation and prosperity, reducing transaction costs, removing barriers and aligning regulatory standards and rules. It has opened up access to a market of more than 450 million people for our country. Membership of the euro, our common currency, also allows for a more seamlessly integrated Single Market.

I will be advocating for strengthening and deepening the Single Market as we look beyond the immediate crisis. We need to discuss concrete ways to improve the European Union's long-term competitiveness and productivity. To inform our discussion, the European Commission has published communications on the Single Market at 30, and on the long-term competitiveness of the European Union. The Commission has set out a long-term view of the European model for inclusive economic growth, based on sustainable competitiveness, economic security, trade and fair competition. It highlights the importance of the Single Market, research and innovation, developing education and skills and improving access to private investment by deepening the capital markets union and completing the banking union. The European Council will also review progress on different strands of action to make the European Union's economic, industrial and technological base fit for the green and digital transitions.

The European Commission recently updated state aid rules, and last week published new legislative proposals for a net zero industry Act and a European critical raw materials Act. Taken together, these developments aim to accelerate the green transition and to ensure sufficient access to the necessary materials. Leaders will have an initial discussion of these proposals. Detailed technical work on the legislative files will take place over the period ahead. I will emphasise safeguarding the Single Market and the level playing field between the member states on which it is built.

The European Council is also expected to hold a strategic discussion on the geopolitical aspects of trade and the contribution of trade relations to the European Union's competitiveness in an increasingly difficult international trading environment. The free trade agreements that the EU has provide a significant opportunity to strengthen the resilience of our supply chains, especially in strategic trade areas that are essential to the green and digital transitions, such as critical raw materials. Our national trade strategy has a significant focus on the implementation of free trade agreements in order to ensure the advantages that they generate are being maximised by companies.

The European Council will also consider progress made by European finance ministers on the review of the economic governance framework. Updating the framework, including the fiscal rules, is crucial for effective economic policy co-ordination and surveillance across the Union. This will help ensure, for all member states, the soundness and sustainability of public finances over the medium and long term. It will also promote sustainable economic growth and convergence, and help to deal with macroeconomic imbalances.

Leaders will also meet in Euro Summit format on Friday, when we will be joined by the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, as president of the Eurogroup, and by the president of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde. We will discuss the broader economic impact and financial situation, including recent developments in the banking sector, inflation and interest rates. Our exchanges on the economic outlook for the eurozone will be informed by the most recent monetary policy decisions adopted by the European Central Bank, and by the statement on fiscal guidance for 2024 adopted by Eurogroup finance ministers on 13 March.

Given the renewed uncertainties and risks, we need to remain agile and flexible in our political response to current circumstances. I look forward to constructive exchanges with leaders to this end. During our meeting, we will also take the opportunity to welcome the agreement on the Windsor Framework and to call for its early implementation. A meeting of the EU-UK joint committee is also expected to take place on Friday in London.

As I said at the outset, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, will speak about energy and migration in his wrap-up statement later this afternoon. I will update the House again next week in follow-up to the meeting of the European Council.

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