Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ireland is honoured to take up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time this year.

As Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European for the eighth time, we do so at a pivotal moment for our Union and for our shared future.

Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. We take on this responsibility at a significant moment for Europe and the wider international community.

Ireland’s eighth Presidency of the Council of the European Union is an opportunity to drive meaningful progress across Europe through partnership, ambition and action.

In order to deliver a secure economic future, which meets the needs and expectations of its people, Europe must act urgently to enhance its competitiveness and productivity. The One Europe, One Market Roadmap, agreed by the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, provides a blueprint to achieve decisive progress in 2026. We will treat the Roadmap’s objectives as core priorities for the Irish Presidency.

Our Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as reflected in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. Our shared values, including those contained in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are the bedrock, which makes Europe a good place to live and work, and they underpin our competitiveness and our security.

Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East and the Gulf, and the evolution of new threats and new forms of warfare present serious challenges. We must work together to address these challenges, which have highlighted the need for Europe to invest in all dimensions of our own security and develop our defence capabilities.