Welcoming Ireland’s Taoiseach, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said, “We are entering a critical six months for our continent. With the Irish Presidency’s leadership and focus on competitiveness, security and values, we are pulling in the same direction. The coming months are an opportunity to act together on some transformative files and deliver the progress people demand of us. The European Parliament will be a trusted partner.”

On competitiveness, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Presidency will work to eliminate barriers, tackle unnecessary regulatory burdens, and boost internal market trade. On external trade, the Irish Presidency will seek to build an EU-US trade and investment relationship that benefits both, and work for a close and constructive partnership with the UK. The Presidency will continue to deepen the EU’s trade relationships with partners such as India, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The Irish…