On 22-23 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, hosted her EU trade minister counterparts in Dublin for an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade or FAC (Trade), taking place as part of Ireland’s ongoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As meeting chair, Minister McEntee facilitated opportunities to discuss, negotiate, and shape the EU’s trade policy over the two days.
Alongside her trade Minister counterparts, Minister McEntee was joined by European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Maroš Šefčovič, where they exchanged views on the EU’s key trade and investment relationships throughout, including on deliverables arising from the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism.
Minister McEntee said: “Last week’s European Council meeting highlighted that there is still significant work to do to address current trade challenges. However, the progress made represents an important step forward in supporting a constructive and stable trade and investment relationship.”
Preserving a stable, predictable transatlantic trading environment is a key priority of the Irish Presidency, and was a core focus during the meeting, which also featured a high-level discussion on the EU-US trade and investment relationship. This is the most valuable relationship of its kind worldwide, with two-way trade flows valued at €1.8 trillion per annum.
On EU-US trade and investment, Minister McEntee said: “We had the chance to consider fully our trade and investment relations with the US, and I am glad there was broad consensus in the room that engagement and dialogue offer the best way forward to address the challenges facing both the EU and US. I look forward to continuing this dialogue when the FAC trade ministers meet again in Brussels at the end of November.”
The meeting was an also important opportunity to strengthen and diversify relations with reliable, global partners and considered a number of preferential EU trade agreements, in particular the ongoing negotiations with the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and the UAE. Ministers considered the prospects for consolidating trade agreements on a region-to-region basis, as well as broader cooperation on trade with like-minded partners.
The informal meeting followed on from a side event featuring a panel discussion between Minister McEntee, Commissioner Šefčovič, and Canada’s Minister for International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, considering benefits from recently concluded EU trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, with 2026 marking ten years since it was signed.
Minister McEntee thanked Minister Sidhu for his participation, as both sides prepare for the upcoming EU-Canada Summit, adding that: “In an era of geopolitical instability and global trade tensions, economic relationships built on predictability, transparency and mutual benefit, such as the one we enjoy with Canada, are more important than ever.
“Agreements like CETA not only have the potential to open new markets, improve supply chain resilience, and create high-value-added jobs, but also are one of our one of greatest levers in strengthening our global, regional, and bilateral relations. In the ten years since it was signed - CETA has been a step change in EU and Irish trade with Canada, and I want to see it grow even further.”
At the same side event, Minister McEntee also announced that she has commissioned the OECD to undertake a review of Women and Trade in Ireland.
The Minister stated: “At this event, I was really impressed by the strong panel of women business leaders who are using CETA and other trade agreements to expand their businesses. There is extraordinary potential for trade promotion and trade policies to support women’s economic empowerment. Where barriers to this goal of empowerments are identified, I want to develop the right policies to overcome them. That is why I am commissioning the OECD to review how women Irish women participate in the global economy.”
In addition, Minister McEntee hosted a strategic dialogue on life sciences, bringing together Commissioner Šefčovič, trade ministers from a number of EU Member States with significant pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors and industry representatives from the sector. Reflecting on the fact that pharmaceuticals and medtech account for 10% of EU GDP, the Minister sought to bring these key constituents together to foster an open dialogue and support a vibrant and resilient ecosystem.
Looking ahead to chairing the next FAC (Trade) meeting in Brussels on 30 November, Minister McEntee concluded: “I look forward to taking the positive momentum we have generated in Dublin into our next meeting, where the focus will remain on advancing Europe’s diversification priorities and supporting European competitiveness, resilience and economic security, to the benefit of all European citizens.”
Read more about the Informal meeting here: Minister McEntee hosts EU trade ministers in Dublin
For general press inquiries, contact Press.EUPresidency@dfa.ie.
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| 23/10/2026 17:05 | Press release | | | | | Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 26-27 October 2026Agriculture ministers will seek to agree on a partial negotiating position on the post-2027 rules for the common agricultural policy (CAP). They will also discuss trade-related agricultural issues, a recurring item on the agenda of the AGRIFISH Council. Fisheries ministers will aim to reach a political agreement on the fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2027. They will also prepare the ground for the EU’s position for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 29 October 2026Energy ministers will meet in Luxembourg to discuss the proposed regulation on network charges, aimed at future-proofing electricity bills in the EU. They will also exchange views on energy security in the immediate and longer term, as well as potential energy targets for the post-2030 framework. Other meetings
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| 23/10/2026 16:10 | Media advisory | | | | | The press briefing ahead of the EU-Canada summit of 29-30 October 2026, will take place on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 10:30 (CET). This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either in person at the Europa building press room or remotely. To attend the event remotely, please use the link below to register and have the possibility to ask questions. - Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at 09:30 (CET)
Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.
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| 23/10/2026 16:40 | Media advisory | | | | | Indicative programmeAll times are approximate and subject to change Place:
ECCL Luxembourg Chair:
Martin Heydon, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Monday, 26 OctoberFrom 08:45
Arrivals and doorsteps (live streaming) 08:45
Doorstep by Minister Martin Heydon (live streaming) 10:00
Beginning of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting
Adoption of the agenda
Approval of "A" items: +/-10.15
Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2027 +/-11.05
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) +/-11.45
Post-2027 CAP regulation
- AOB on CAP post-2027
+/-15.20
Trade-related agricultural issues +/-16.50
AOB on annual report on simplification, implementation and enforcement for agriculture (public session) +/-17.20
- AOB on unfair trading practices
- AOB on supporting the adaption of agriculture to climate change
AOB on exceptional temporary EAFRD support to cover increased agricultural costs (public session) +/-17.55
AOB on Bacterium Xylella fastidiosa in the Luxembourg Moselle wine-growing region (public session) +/- 18:20
AOB on the annual report on simplification, implementation and enforcement for fisheries (public session) +/- 18.50
AOB on the sensitivity of fishery products in the context of trade agreement negotiations (public session)
Press conference (agriculture): at the end of the meeting, provisional timing +/- 19.30 TTBC, in the ECCL press room in live streaming. Press conference (fisheries): TTBC, once a political agreement on the Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2027 is found, in the ECCL press room in live streaming. If an agreement on the Baltic Sea fishing opportunities is not found on Monday, the press conference on fisheries will take place on Tuesday, once the political agreement is reached, TTBC.
Tuesday, 27 October (possible)From 08:00
Arrivals and doorsteps (live streaming) 09.00
(possible) Continuation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting (possible) If an agreement on the Baltic Sea fishing opportunities is not found on Monday, the press conference on fisheries will take place on Tuesday, once the political agreement is reached, TTBC, in the ECCL press room in live streaming.
Arrangements for the press conferences Both conferences will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the ECCL Luxembourg press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council do not need to do it again. - Deadline for registration: Monday, 26 October 2026, 18.30
Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.
Videos and photos from the events
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| 23/10/2026 15:40 | Speech | | | | | Seventy years ago, the Hungarian people stood up against the totalitarian communist regime, for a simple but fundamental right: to live in freedom and democracy. The response by the Soviet Union was brutal repression. Thousands were killed, and many more were forced into exile. But the uprising was not defeated in the hearts and minds of the Hungarian people. The desire for freedom endured. Indeed, the revolution of 1956 revealed to the whole world something fundamental about the Hungarian people: a profound, deep-rooted yearning for independence and self-determination. That same spirit of patriotism found renewed expression in all decisive moments of Hungarian history. It was the motivation of the heroic days of the 1848 Revolution, and it was once again the driving force in 1989, when Hungarians were pioneers in removing the Iron Curtain. 1956 was not just a date in Hungarian history. The 1956 Revolution demonstrated that the struggle against totalitarian oppression was unfinished, that Europe itself was unfinished, and tragically incomplete. The memory of the 1956 Revolution is also a reminder that democracies must not be complacent in the face of tyranny and imperialism. Hungary’s accession to the European Union in 2004 was a crucial step in reuniting Europe. In fact, by joining the European Union, Hungary reconfirmed what more than 1 000 years of history had repeatedly shown – that the Hungarian nation lies at the heart of Europe. That is the true spirit of the European Union: free nations joining together to build peace, security and prosperity through cooperation. Because our Union is built on a simple conviction: we are united in our values, driven by common goals – and enriched by national diversity. Europe's strength lies precisely in its many languages, histories, cultures and traditions. Those differences do not weaken us; they enrich our common project. And our constant efforts to build European unity do not threaten national identities. Quite the opposite: by reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness, Europe’s strategic autonomy, Europe’s defence, and by protecting common borders together – the European Union nations are strengthening themselves in the face of common threats and global challenges. Hungary is a case in point. Over the past 22 years, European integration has created new opportunities for Hungarian citizens and driven significant economic and social progress. Hungary’s economy has nearly tripled in size, while average salaries have increased fivefold. Today, the European Union accounts for almost 80% of Hungary’s exports and nearly 70% of its imports, underscoring the country’s deep economic integration in the European single market. Yet the benefits of European integration extend far beyond trade and economic growth. Their true measure lies in the difference they make to people’s lives and the opportunities they create. For Hungary, as for Europe as a whole, the experience of European integration underscores the close link between prosperity and democracy. Because sustainable growth depends not only on economic opportunity, but also on strong institutions, good governance, freedom of expression and academic freedom. These are essential foundations for public trust, a predictable business environment and the confidence that enables companies to invest, innovate and create jobs. In a troubled world, Hungarians continue to recognise the value of our Union. Official figures tell a powerful story: 80% of Hungarians trust the European Union as a source of stability and consider membership highly beneficial. This reflects the value Hungarians place on a European Union that delivers security and prosperity and that gives Europe a stronger voice in the world – while being anchored in shared values. May the courage and the legacy of those who stood up in 1956 continue to inspire Hungary and all of Europe: to defend democracy, uphold our common values, and build a Union that is stronger, more united and more prosperous than ever. Thank you very much.
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