Byrne Arrives in Budapest to Advance EU Presidency
Irish Minister Thomas Byrne landed in Budapest on 10 September to spearhead discussions on the EU Presidency. He will meet Hungary’s foreign ministers to tackle the budget, enlargement and rule‑of‑law issues.
On 10 September, Irish Minister Thomas Byrne TD arrived in Budapest to advance the agenda of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The two‑day visit is aimed at securing progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework, enlargement, Ukraine, competitiveness and the rule of law.
During his stay, Byrne will sit down with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anita Orbán, State Secretary for Policy Coordination and EU Affairs András Bíró‑Nagy and State Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Krisztián Mészáros. He will also meet the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Chair of the European Affairs Committee at the Hungarian Parliament, as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries is commemorated.
In a statement, Byrne welcomed the constructive engagement of Hungary’s new government and expressed confidence that continued dialogue will deliver a consensus on the next EU budget this year. He emphasised that EU enlargement remains a strategic priority and that momentum must be preserved for the benefit of all citizens.