Ireland starts its presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026. During Ireland’s six-month term, discussions in the EU will continue on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, EU enlargement, safety and security and competitiveness.

The EU’s enlargement policy has gained new momentum in recent years due to geopolitical changes. In particular, the applications of Ukraine and Moldova have reignited debate about the future shape of the Union. On 15 June, both countries officially opened their EU accession negotiations in Luxembourg, marking a major milestone in their path towards membership. However, the road to accession remains long and demanding, requiring extensive reforms from the candidate countries and unanimous support from all EU Member States.