Taoiseach to travel to Luxembourg for two-day visit
Both leaders will discuss economic issues, including European competitiveness and EU-US trade negotiations.
They will also discuss the current situation in both Ukraine and Gaza.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the Taoiseach said Ireland and Luxembourg have "a shared interest" in the competitiveness agenda and deepening capital markets in Europe.
"Bilateral relations between Ireland and Luxembourg are excellent and we are like-minded partners on many issues," he added.
Mr Martin and Mr Frieden will also discuss proposals for the EU's next seven-year budget for 2028 to 2034 following last week's draft proposal by the European Commission for a €2 trillion budget.
Two-way trade between Ireland and Luxembourg is worth about €3.5 billion each year, a majority of which is attributed to financial services.
Like Ireland, Luxembourg's open economy and relatively low corporate tax rates have attracted international financial institutions and global investment funds to domicile in the jurisdiction for decades.
Both countries' economies would be highly susceptible to a US-EU trade war in the event that it spirals to include retaliatory tariffs on digital services.
US President Donald Trump has threatened 30% tariffs on imported goods from the EU, if a trade deal is not struck by 1 August.
But Reuters reported yesterday that US and EU officials are discussing a broad 15% tariff on EU imports.
During his visit, the Taoiseach will also meet with representatives of Irish businesses in Luxembourg and hear from Irish community representatives.
More than 2,500 Irish citizens live and work in Luxembourg, a community that has doubled in size during the past 10 years, according to Ireland's embassy to Luxembourg.
Tomorrow, the Taoiseach will hold a meeting with Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
They will discuss Ireland's ongoing partnership with the bank and its role in supporting European competitiveness by investing in infrastructure projects.
Mr Martin described the EIB as a "valued partner" that finances approximately €1bn for water, housing and energy projects in Ireland each year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
'Optimism but no certainty' as Trump and von der Leyen to meet in Scotland
Tomorrow's meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in Scotland is being treated as a "final negotiating session". According to a senior official in the EU delegation, there is "optimism but no certainty" that a trade deal can be reached. The meeting is being treated as a "president-to-president" negotiating session. It's understood Ms von der Leyen will also be joined by the European Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, in Turnberry. In the event that a deal is reached, it will be an agreement in principle, with a final document likely to be produced in the days afterwards. Mr Trump spent much of his day today playing golf at his Turnberry resort, ahead of high-level bilateral sessions with Ms von der Leyen tomorrow, and also British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney on Monday. Meanwhile, protests against the visit of Mr Trump to Scotland took place this afternoon. Organised by the "Stop Trump Coalition", the demonstrations were held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Those involved said that they wanted to convey the message that they did not believe Trump should be welcomed to Scotland. Tight security around the Trump Turnberry course meant no demonstrators were seen when the president took to the greens this morning. Dressed in black, with a white cap that said USA on it, Mr Trump could be seen driving a golf buggy, flanked by a fleet of security personnel, as he played on the famous course which he bought in 2014. However hundreds gathered in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen - near the site of Mr Trump's other Scottish golf resort - to make their opposition to the president known. As the visit got under way Scottish First Minister John Swinney announced public money to support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire. The 2025 Nexo Championship - previously known as the Scottish Championship - is set to take place there next month, supported by £180,000 of public funding. Mr Swinney said: "The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy." But Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie likened the awarding of public cash to the tournament to "handing some pocket money to the school bully". Mr Trump will head to his golf resort in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire later on in his five-day long private visit. As part of his trip he will also hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where the two men will refine a trade deal between the UK and the US that was agreed earlier this year. The president is also expected to talk trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tomorrow. But with no talks apparently scheduled for today, the president, who is well known for his love of golf, was free to take to the famous course at Turnberry. A major security operation surrounded him, with police officers and military personnel seen scouring the grounds ahead of Mr Trump teeing off. After touching down in Scotland in Air Force One last night, the president was seen on the course at Turnberry this morning - although security fencing had also been erected around the resort, with road closures also in place to help protect Mr Trump, who last year survived an assassination attempt. Police Scotland has asked for support from other forces across the UK to bolster officer numbers for the high-profile visit - with Mr Swinney appealing to people to protest "peacefully and within the law". In Aberdeen, Green north east Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: "We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for." Speaking about the US president, Ms Chapman said: "He believes that climate change isn't real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. "We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name." With Mr Trump having last year been convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records, she said the president was a "convicted felon". "He is not welcome in Scotland, he is certainly not welcome in Aberdeenshire," she said. "We know that he is a convicted felon. "We also know that all of the promises he has repeatedly made to Scotland have come to nothing, there hasn't been the development of jobs or houses that he promised when he opened his course in Aberdeenshire a few years ago." Mr Harvie was also critical of the president, saying: "He's attacking our renewables industry once again, one of the success stories of Scotland, and he is trying to attack and undermine it.
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Simon Harris on Gaza solidarity day
Táiniste Simon Harris says he will talk to his colleagues about how to make a national day of protest for Gaza a reality. He was responding to a letter written by a Mr. Michael Cush which was published in Thursdays Irish Times, and stated that the Irish government has been strong in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, but that the government and the people of Ireland are growing frustrated as they feel 'helpless' to prevent the ongoing conflict. Taking to Instagram today, Simon Harris said 'The people of Ireland stand with the people of Palestine. We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide'. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Michael Cush had also said in his open letter to the newspaper that 'If the Government were to call a national day of protest, the turnout would likely be enormous' Today, Simon Harris posted the letter on his social media, alongside a statement endorsing the suggestion made by Michael Cush. He went on to say 'The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter above is sensible and a good idea. It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen.' The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Pic: AFP via Getty Images The Irish government has been one of the few within Europe that have labelled Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide', while internationally the world looks on as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, and the population face the very real threat of starvation as the war continues.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch moment men have competitive pillow fight on Dublin city street as fans ‘very excited' over new arena experience
COMPETITIVE pillow fighting has come to the streets of Dublin in a new arena experience. Located on 2 Competitive pillow fighting has come to Dublin city Credit: Journalist Collect 2 Players can fight their friends in an enclosed setting Credit: Journalist Collect One Irish rapper, who goes by @l.k2798 on He said: 'Pillow fighting on Dame Street. '#duckanddive' The first of its kind on the streets of Dublin, pillow fighting competitions like this have gained popularity - with similar ones found in London and READ MORE IN TRAVEL Participants can challenge friends, siblings or coworkers in an enclosed setting where the fun and banter flow just as much as the pillow swings. What's more, the arena includes a referee to oversee In the clip, the ref said: 'They are brothers! That makes perfect sense. 'It's an incredibly even contest! oh my goodness folks, you couldn't call this. Most read in News Travel 'It might have to go to vote at the end.' People have taken to the comment section to share their thoughts. 'Omg Dublin it's finally happening' screams fashion fan as Arket gets ready to open One person wrote: "Need to have most people in Dublin there to let their anger out." Another said: 'Lethal head movements.' NEW STORE COMING TO DUBLIN Meanwhile, a new Dublin store is set to open in just weeks as bosses have revealed the exact date - as fans say they're "very excited." The Founded in 2017 by the H&M Group, Arket is a curated, design-led brand that brings together clothing, interiors, accessories and Known for minimalist fashion and homeware, the company said their focus is on clean lines, timeless staples and sustainability - offering pieces that are made to last. Until now, Irish shoppers could only access the brand through its website or while And they are set to open a brand-new of flagship store at 60 Dawson Street, right on the corner of Nassau Street in Co Dublin. Set to open on July 31, it will be part of the new Grafton Place development - a new retail project in the heart of Dublin's city centre. The full Arket collection will be available in-store, including menswear, womenswear, This will also be the first Arket location in Ireland to include an on-site cafe that's led by Swedish chef Martin Berg.
