Byrne urges steady momentum on EU enlargement drive
Minister of State Thomas Byrne reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to advancing EU enlargement, particularly for Western Balkan nations. He announced he will chair a key conference with Montenegro to progress its EU accession negotiations in Brussels next week.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, emphasised Ireland’s strong support for the European Union's enlargement agenda during an event at Europe House in Dublin. Highlighting the progress made under Ireland’s EU Presidency, Byrne underlined the importance of maintaining momentum in accession talks with Western Balkan countries.
He revealed that on Friday, 6 November, he will chair an Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels with Montenegro, aimed at closing another negotiating chapter in the country’s EU accession process. Byrne stressed that there should be no shortcuts or delays in Montenegro’s progress, praising the 21 out of 33 negotiation chapters already completed.
Further reflecting on Ireland’s role, Byrne noted the enhanced bilateral relations with Western Balkans states, demonstrated by the opening of Irish Embassies in Belgrade and Sarajevo in 2025. The event, titled ‘Developing Common Threads between Ireland and the Western Balkan States: Culture, Diaspora and Soft Diplomacy in Global Relations’, was organised by CARADEM alongside the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, and the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
He revealed that on Friday, 6 November, he will chair an Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels with Montenegro, aimed at closing another negotiating chapter in the country’s EU accession process. Byrne stressed that there should be no shortcuts or delays in Montenegro’s progress, praising the 21 out of 33 negotiation chapters already completed.
Further reflecting on Ireland’s role, Byrne noted the enhanced bilateral relations with Western Balkans states, demonstrated by the opening of Irish Embassies in Belgrade and Sarajevo in 2025. The event, titled ‘Developing Common Threads between Ireland and the Western Balkan States: Culture, Diaspora and Soft Diplomacy in Global Relations’, was organised by CARADEM alongside the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, and the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
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