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On 25 November 2025, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Artjoms Uršuļskis had a meeting with Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence. The officials discussed Latvian-Irish bilateral cooperation, EU affairs, support for Ukraine and EU security matters.
The Parliamentary Secretary highlighted the close cooperation between Latvia and Ireland, both bilaterally and within the European Union. He also emphasized that Ireland hosts the fifth-largest Latvian diaspora, which plays a significant role in strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.
Discussing current issues on the EU agenda, Thomas Byrne noted that the priorities of Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU will include negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the term of 2028-2034. In this context, Artjoms Uršuļskis mentioned that it is important to reach an agreement on an ambitious and effective EU budget volume, ensuring sufficient financing for defence and the Cohesion and Common Agricultural policies. The officials underlined the importance of continued progress in the EU enlargement process.
Officials also discussed geopolitical challenges, advancing EU resilience against hybrid threats and strengthening the defence of the EU’s eastern border.
Thomas Byrne visited Latvia on a working visit ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026.