Ireland on Wednesday took over the rotating EU presidency, with officials from the island nation set to chair ministerial meetings and mediate disputes between member states until the end of the year.
A key priority during Ireland's six-month term will be negotiations on the EU's next long-term budget for 2028 to 2034, with the aim of reaching a deal by the end of the year. However, member states remain divided on the proposal.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described the current draft as "unaffordable" and "unbalanced." The proposal foresees a total budget of €1.73 trillion ($1.97 trillion), adjusted for inflation.
Further difficult negotiations are expected on issues including online child protection, reform of the EU emissions trading system and the introduction of a digital euro.
Cyprus held the presidency in the previous six months. Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million, joined the European Community in 1973 and is taking the presidency for the eighth time.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said at the start of the presidency that Ireland was assuming the role at a critical moment for Europe, citing high energy costs driven by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
He said Ireland would prioritize efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy, protect core EU values and ensure the security of citizens.
