Taoiseach and Tánaiste attend Munich security meeting amid rising global tensions
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris during a Presidential Distinguished Service Awards ceremony for the Irish Abroad held at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will travel to Germany this weekend to attend the annual Munich Security Conference, a key global forum on international security policy.
The security conference, which kicks off today, will see heads of state, minister and representatives from business, academia and more gather to debate international security at a pivotal moment of change.
Their visit comes just one day after a tragic incident in Munich, where 28 people, including children, were injured after a car drove into a union demonstration.
Authorities have described the event as an attack and arrested a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker in connection with the incident.
The attack follows a series of violent events involving immigrants, which have pushed migration to the forefront of Germany’s election campaign ahead of the February 23 vote.
On Saturday, Mr Martin will join an event hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on global food security. Speaking ahead of the conference, he emphasised Ireland’s role in security discussions despite its neutrality.
“Ireland is, and will remain, militarily neutral, and that is well understood and respected,” Mr Martin said.
“But this does not remove us from the discussion on how we meet the security risks faced by us all and how we keep ourselves safe, especially from new cyber and hybrid threats.”
He reaffirmed Ireland’s support for a rules-based international order, strong multilateral institutions, and fundamental human rights.
The Taoiseach will also address major global issues, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.
“It is more important than ever to stress our steadfast support for Ukraine and our strong commitment to helping them achieve a just and sustainable peace based on the principles of the UN Charter,” he said.
“There can be no agreement on Ukraine without Ukraine.”
On Gaza, Mr Martin will engage in discussions on international efforts to uphold the hostage release and ceasefire deal, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need, and advance prospects for a two-state solution.
Tánaiste Simon Harris, who also serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs, will use the conference to reaffirm Ireland's policy of military neutrality while engaging with partners from Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Mr Harris will meet partners from across Europe, the Middle East and North America to discuss key foreign policy issues including Ukraine and Gaza.
"Ireland’s commitment to a values-based foreign policy and to a policy of military neutrality does not insulate us from the impacts of a rapidly changing and volatile international security environment," Mr Harris said.
As the third anniversary of Russia's full invasion of Ukraine looms, Mr Harris will reaffirm Ireland's continuing solidarity and support for Ukraine.
“We remain committed to working to ensure a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. It will be important to ensure that Ukraine determines the terms, conditions, and timelines for any peace agreement,” he said.
He will also engage with Arab, European, and transatlantic partners on the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East.
“At a critical moment for the ceasefire and hostage release deal, we need to see further release of hostages, the continuation of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a clear framework for the return of those displaced,” Mr Harris stated.
“We must also maintain space for a political solution. The only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-state solution.”
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