Europe has a lot to gain by working closely - Taoiseach

Detailed summary

The Taoiseach has said that Europe has a lot to gain by working closely together on shared challenges as European Political Community summit begins.

The Taoiseach has said that Europe has a lot to gain by working closely together on shared challenges.

Micheál Martin will host the ninth meeting of the European Political Community in the Convention Centre Dublin.

He will greet the EU and non-EU leaders arriving for the meeting as well as speak at the opening and closing of the summit.

Mr Martin paid tribute to the collaboration right across the public service in preparing for the biggest gathering of world leaders the country has ever hosted, plans for which have been under way for more than than a year.

More than 2,000 people are working on the event at the Convention Centre, where 47 world leaders will gather.

The theme of today's meeting is 'Europe - strong, secure and connected'.

The Taoiseach said that leaders would discuss ways to strengthen Europe's economy, build competitiveness and its capacity for innovation, as well as deepening energy cooperation

Along with the formal plenary meetings, there will be opportunities for leaders to meet bilaterally, and Mr Martin is likely to hold discussions with, among others, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Later the Taoiseach will host a dinner for leaders at the National Gallery of Ireland.

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