The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will travel to Dublin, Ireland, to participate in the informal meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich) in Wicklow, Ireland, from September 1 to 2, 2026. This will be the first time a Canadian minister of foreign affairs has participated in a Gymnich meeting.
The informal meeting will be co-hosted by Helen McEntee Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, and Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission. It will provide an opportunity for ministers to exchange views on current geopolitical developments and shared priorities, including developments in the Middle East and support for Ukraine.
Minister Anand's participation will help advance implementation of the New Canada-EU Strategic Partnership of the Future and deepen cooperation with European partners on shared priorities, including economic security, trade diversification as well as defence and security. It will also help set the stage for the upcoming Canada-EU Leaders' Summit on October 29 to 30, 2026, in Canada.
The meeting will enable ministers to further discuss Russia's full-scale unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. Minister Anand will underscore Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine and engage with partners on shared efforts related to military assistance, energy security, reconstruction and accountability.
While in Ireland, Minister Anand will have a bilateral meeting with Minister McEntee.
