Ireland has officially assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the period July to December 2026. At a launch event in New Delhi, Irish Ambassador to India Kevin Kelly outlined the presidency's priorities, with a strong focus on deepening ties with India and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
EU-India Strategic Partnership at the Forefront
Ambassador Kelly stated that the European Union increasingly views India as one of its most important strategic partners. He noted that the presidency programme reflects this, highlighting both the importance of the Indo-Pacific and the priority attached to the EU's relationship with India. During its presidency, Ireland aims to actively propel negotiations forward to support progress toward an ambitious EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
However, Kelly emphasized that modern cooperation between the two powers extends far beyond trade. He underlined areas such as technology, research, climate action, connectivity, maritime security, resilient supply chains, and digital cooperation as key pillars of the contemporary partnership.
Three Core Priorities for Ireland's Presidency
Ambassador Kelly explained that Ireland's core leadership program is built around three reinforcing priorities. The first is making Europe a premier hub for innovation, investment, and business. This includes strengthening the Single Market, cutting unnecessary regulatory red tape, boosting research, and capitalising on artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
The second priority involves continuing to champion democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and effective multilateralism. The third priority is protecting European interests while addressing pressing international geopolitical crises.
EU Enlargement and Geopolitical Crises
Kelly stressed the success of EU enlargement, noting that Ireland has long believed enlargement is one of the European Union's greatest success stories. During the presidency, Ireland will work constructively to advance accession negotiations for candidate countries meeting necessary conditions, with particular hope for progress with Montenegro, whose accession process is currently the most advanced.
The Ambassador reconfirmed that Europe's unwavering commitment to Ukraine remains a defining priority. Simultaneously, Ireland will work with EU partners to urgently address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The presidency's diplomatic agenda on the Middle East will push for sanctions against violent, illegal Israeli settlers, call for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and advocate for a just, lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
Ireland's Eighth EU Presidency
This marks the eighth time Ireland has assumed the rotating EU Council Presidency since joining the bloc, having last held the role over a decade ago in 2013. For six months, Ireland will guide negotiations, broker agreements between member states, and help deliver EU laws and policies that affect the daily lives of more than 450 million people, according to an official government website.
Ambassador Kelly expressed immense optimism for the next six months, describing India and the EU as vibrant democracies and major economic powers that have become increasingly indispensable partners in addressing global challenges.
