For the first time Minister Donohoe will present at Euro Summit as President of the Eurogroup
The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, will travel to France, Luxembourg, and Belgium between 9th and 11th December on a programme of official visits, including the Euro Summit, in his capacity as President of the Eurogroup.
In Paris, the Minister will meet with Minister Bruno Le Maire to discuss Eurogroup matters.
In Luxembourg, the Minister will meet with his Eurogroup colleague, Minister Pierre Gramegna. He will also meet with Managing Director of the ESM, Klaus Regling.
In Brussels, the Minister will meet with recently appointed Belgian Finance Minister, Vincent Van Peteghem, for the first time in person. He will also have meetings with European Commission Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis, and Commissioners Hahn, Gentiloni, and McGuinness.
As President of the Eurogroup, Minister Donohoe will present at the Euro Summit on issues including the recent success at Eurogroup on the reform of the European Stability Mechanism and plans for future progress on Banking Union, and the Eurogroup’s Work Programme and its focus on economic recovery from the pandemic.
All necessary health precautions will be taken, and the Minister will be following public health guidelines during his trip and upon his return to Ireland.
Speaking in advance of his trip, the Minister said: ‘The Eurogroup Presidency is an opportunity to contribute to the shaping of Ireland and Europe’s future. Exchanging views with my Eurogroup colleagues and the European institutions is an essential dimension of the Presidency, whether that is done virtually, or face-to-face when possible. I look forward to many productive discussions over the course of this trip’.
“I will also have the privilege of speaking directly to EU leaders at the Euro Summit to update them on the work and recent successes of the Eurogroup and seek their guidance on how to move forward on Banking Union, among other issues.”
ENDS