In the context of the start of the Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union, Ambassador Brian Glynn has made high-level institutional visits in Bilbao and Barcelona in recent days.
The visit to the Ajuria Enea Palace was part of an institutional event of the Basque Government in which the Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, presented the balance of the midpoint of his term under the slogan “Ongizatean hazi, Herria hazi – Growing as a country, growing in well-being.”
During the meeting, held in the gardens of the palace, Glynn participated alongside Daniel Calleja, director of the Representation of the European Commission in Spain; and members of the Basque Government Ander Caballero Barturren, Secretary General of Foreign Action and Euskadi Global, and Mikel Antón Zarragoitia, Director of European Affairs, in a series of discussions and debates. The main topics of the day were: Challenges of Europe: reflections were made on the future of the European Union and the key role of regions like Euskadi and countries like Ireland, and Atlantic Cooperation: the collaboration between Euskadi and Ireland was highlighted, emphasizing the European vocation of both territories.
The Irish ambassador aimed with this visit to strengthen institutional, economic, and social ties between Ireland and the Basque Country.
Likewise, the representations of the European institutions in Barcelona and the Embassy of Ireland organized last Friday the presentation event of the priorities of the Irish presidency of the EU Council, in which Ambassador Brian Glynn also participated.
Under the slogan “Strength through unity,” Ireland has set three key priorities for the six-month presidency:
Competitiveness: Promote the prosperity and well-being of the European economy.
Security: Strengthen the protection of citizens in an unstable global context.
Values: Defend the fundamental principles of the Union with determination.
