Minister Byrne meets with Minister Joakim Strand of Finland

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (17 September) hosted a bilateral meeting at Iveagh House with the Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering of Finland, Mr Joakim Strand.

Building on their discussions from Minister Byrne’s visit to Helsinki in June, the meeting focused on bilateral relations, Ukraine, security and defence, and the EU policy agenda, as Ireland looks ahead to its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.

Following the meeting, Minister Byrne said: “I am glad to continue the regular and

productive engagement I have with Minister Strand. I met with Minister Strand earlier this year in Helsinki, where we had productive and rich discussions. Today’s meeting was reflective of Ireland’s commitment to further deepen our bilateral engagement within the framework of the Global Ireland Nordic Baltic Strategy.

“Finland is an important partner for Ireland and we are likeminded on numerous issues in the EU. Hearing my Finnish counterpart’s perspectives on security and defence issues, the future of enlargement, the war in Ukraine, and the European competitiveness agenda was highly valuable. I look forward to continued cooperation with our close EU partner, particularly as we approach the Irish Presidency of the EU.”

Minister Strand was in Ireland for a series of meetings focused on EU affairs. His other engagements included a keynote speech at the Institute of International and European Affairs, a meeting with members of the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs at Leinster House, and a meeting with representatives from Wind Energy Ireland.