Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, has begun a four‑day visit to the Baltic States as part of preparations for Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency. The trip, running from 24–27 November, underscores Ireland’s commitment to strengthening European cooperation on security, defence, and Ukraine’s future within the Union.
Latvia: Security and EU Presidency Preparations
Byrne’s first stop is Riga, where he will meet Artjoms Uršuļskis, Latvia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, to discuss Ireland’s EU Presidency agenda. At the Ministry of Defence, he will hold talks with State Secretary Aivars Puriņš on regional security and defence cooperation. Byrne is also scheduled to engage with members of the Latvian Parliamentary European Affairs Committee, reflecting the importance of parliamentary dialogue in shaping EU policy.
Lithuania: Cybersecurity and Crisis Management
In Vilnius, Byrne will hold bilateral consultations with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus and Vice Minister for Defence Karolis Aleksa. His programme includes meetings with the Lithuanian Parliamentary European Affairs Committee, the National Crisis Management Centre, and the National Cyber Security Centre, highlighting Ireland’s focus on resilience against hybrid threats and cyber warfare.
Estonia: NATO and Regional Security
Byrne’s final stop is Tallinn, where he will meet Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna and Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov of the Estonian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Discussions will centre on Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities, regional defence, and broader EU issues. Byrne will also engage with the Estonia‑Ireland Friendship Group and visit the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, where he will be briefed by its director and an Irish Defence Forces officer currently on secondment.
Context and Outlook
Speaking ahead of the visit, Byrne stressed the urgency of cooperation in light of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and the rise of hybrid attacks across Europe. “Ireland will continue to work with our EU partners to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and to advance Ukraine’s membership of our European Union,” he said.
The Baltic tour positions Ireland as a proactive partner in European security and diplomacy, reinforcing its role in shaping the EU’s response to geopolitical challenges as it prepares to assume the EU Presidency.
