Statement following a meeting of an tUachtarán Michael D. Higgins with President Macron
Date: Thu 26th Aug, 2021 | 12:06
26 August 2021
President Michael D. Higgins met with President Emmanuel Macron at Áras an Uachtaráin today, at the start of the French President’s visit to Ireland.
The Presidents discussed a range of topics including the future of the European Union post-Brexit, social Europe, Africa, and the crisis facing the global Covid-19 vaccination programme. Topics discussed included the climate crisis and a number of other global issues including the situation in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Haiti.
The meeting builds on the very close and positive bilateral relationship between the two countries, a partnership based on the shared European values of tolerance, respect for human rights and a commitment to multilateral cooperation.
President Higgins stressed his support for a social Europe, and the need to develop new connections between economics, ethics and ecology.
President Higgins thanked President Macron for his continuing support for Ireland, our shared ideals in the European Union and France’s assistance in relation to our citizens in Afghanistan.