The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday met with Helen McEntee, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, during the informal meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich) in Wicklow, Ireland.
Minister Anand thanked Minister McEntee for Ireland's invitation to Canada to participate in the Gymnich meeting and commended Ireland for its ongoing leadership in strengthening European competitiveness, values, and security during its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Building on the momentum of Prime Minister Mark Carney's June visit to Ireland, the two ministers discussed ways to deepen trade and investment, strengthen economic resilience and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including clean energy, strategic technologies and reliable supply chains. They underscored the importance of Canada and Ireland working together as trusted partners to promote sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The ministers also discussed strengthening cooperation in maritime security, including through practical industrial collaboration.
They also exchanged views on key global and regional security challenges, including the situation in the Middle East and Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable war against Ukraine. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. They highlighted the importance of maintaining international support for Ukraine and agreed that credible security arrangements will be essential to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
Minister Anand and Minister McEntee agreed to remain in close contact as Canada and Ireland continue to advance their bilateral partnership and work together to address shared global challenges.
