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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived in Luxembourg for a two-day official visit, where he will meet with Prime Minister Luc Frieden to discuss key economic and geopolitical issues. The visit builds on the strong bilateral relationship between Ireland and Luxembourg, following Frieden’s visit to Dublin in September 2024.
The leaders will focus on:
- European competitiveness and capital markets
- EU–US trade negotiations, amid rising tensions over digital services tariffs
- The EU’s proposed €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034
- International developments, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing war in Ukraine
Ireland and Luxembourg share a robust economic partnership, with €3.5 billion in annual two-way trade, largely driven by financial services. Both countries maintain open economies and competitive corporate tax regimes, making them vulnerable to potential trade disruptions.
During the visit, the Taoiseach will also engage with Irish business leaders and community representatives in Luxembourg, where the Irish population has doubled over the past decade to more than 2,500 residents.
On Friday, Martin will meet Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), to discuss Ireland’s strategic partnership with the bank. The EIB currently finances approximately €1 billion annually for Irish infrastructure projects in water, housing, and energy.
Martin described the visit as an opportunity to deepen cooperation on shared priorities, stating:
“Bilateral relations between Ireland and Luxembourg are excellent… We will discuss competitiveness, capital markets, and the urgent need to address humanitarian crises globally.”
You can read the full announcement on the Department of the Taoiseach’s website.
