TAOISEACH IN PALESTINE VOW AT EU MEETING
TAOISEACH Simon Harris has stressed “Ireland’s intention to move towards recognising the state of Palestine” as he arrived in Brussels yesterday to meet EU officials.
The new Fine Gael head travelled to the Belgian capital to raise a number of matters with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, as his tenure as leader gets underway.
During discussions, the new Taoiseach brought up the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, humanitarian aid to flow and a twostate solution as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine, agriculture and farming.
“I took an opportunity in being here to raise a number of matters,” he said speaking outside the European Parliament on Thursday.
Targets
“I spoke to the President of the Commission about the importance of the agri-food sector, and the importance of Europe to work with farmers and with agriculture in terms of reaching climate targets.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that there’s a climate emergency underway. But as I said, in my Ard Fheis speech in Galway, we need to stop lecturing farmers and we need to work in partnership with them. I must say I was very pleased with the president of the Commission’s approach to this, she very much wants to see a partnership approach developed between agriculture and agricultural representatives.”
Mr Harris also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and Ireland’s support of Ukraine moving to EU membership.
“I also raised the issue of Ukraine, because as you know, I spoke to President Zelenskyy yesterday, and I wanted to reiterate Ireland’s support for Ukraine proceeding towards membership of the European Union.”
The Taoiseach also stressed Ireland’s “intention to move towards recognising the state of Palestine” to President von der Leyen.
“Of course, I very much took the opportunity to outline Ireland’s position in relation to the Middle East. I informed President von der Leyen of Ireland’s intention to move towards recognising the state of Palestine.”
The visit follows Sinn Féin’s criticism after he failed to turn up for Leaders’ Questions.