Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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5. To ask the Taoiseach for an update on his engagements at the seventh summit of the European Political Community. [53917/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I attended a European Political Community (EPC) summit on 2 October in Copenhagen, Denmark, hosted by the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.

This was the seventh meeting of the EPC, an informal forum which brings together around 50 leaders from across the continent of Europe to discuss issues of shared concern.

The opening plenary session focused on Ukraine, the general security situation in Europe and making Europe stronger and more secure.

I co-chaired a Roundtable discussion among Leaders on Economic Security with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir. There was considerable common ground on the need to underpin the rules-based international order; to support free, fair, and rules-based international trade; to reduce our economic dependencies and vulnerabilities; and to increase our cooperation with reliable economic partners. The EPC involves a wider group than the EU, and I strongly support efforts to cooperate more closely with its members. I reported our work back to the closing Plenary.

I also joined many of my colleagues in endorsing a new initiative – the European Coalition against Drugs – led by President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, and aimed at strengthening our cooperation in combatting drug trafficking and drug-related threats in Europe.

I had bilateral meetings with President Jakov Milatovic of Montenegro, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland, and President Maia Sandu of Moldova. These meetings were a valuable opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and shared opportunities. I especially congratulated President Sandu on the outcome of the recent parliamentary elections in Moldova which demonstrated strong support for its continuing journey towards EU membership despite considerable interference in its democratic debate by malign external actors.

The EPC will convene again in Armenia in the first half of 2026, and Ireland looks forward to hosting a meeting in Ireland in the second half of next year, during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.