Irish Prime Minister Set to Discuss Ireland’s Proposal for Recognizing Palestine with von der Leyen

Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to discuss Ireland’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine during his meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday.

This initiative involves a group of European Union member states, including Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, and Malta, who plan to raise the issue at the upcoming European Council meeting in April and the subsequent foreign ministers’ meeting.

The aim is to present a concrete proposal for recognizing Palestine in line with ongoing peace initiatives.

According to sources cited by The Irish Times, there is a growing determination among these nations to push forward with this recognition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum in the peace process.

Good discussion this afternoon with the President of Ukraine @ZelenskyyUa.

As Taoiseach, I am fully committed to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/Qli9rdXLiz

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 10, 2024

Following his engagements in Brussels, the Taoiseach will head to Poland for a summit hosted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, where he is expected to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

During recent communications with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Simon Harris reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to Anglo-Irish relations and support for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Discussions between Mr Harris and Mr Sunak covered various topics, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the conflict in Ukraine, the re-establishment of powersharing in Northern Ireland post-Brexit, and developments related to the North-South Ministerial Council.

Mr Harris stressed the significant importance of the British-Irish relationship and expressed his dedication to further strengthening it.

In addition to his talks with UK officials, Mr Harris also engaged with Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, underscoring the importance of his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

This week marks the 26th anniversary of the historic peace deal signing, coinciding with the re-establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council, signalling renewed positive engagement between Ireland and Northern Ireland in the coming months.

Simon Harris also conversed with Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, reiterating Ireland’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These efforts demonstrate Ireland’s active role in international diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

See Full Bio