Offaly paired with Belgium as part of new national initiative for Ireland's EU Presidency

Offaly has been paired with Belgium as part of new national initiative which plans to engage communities across the country on Ireland’s European relationships during the upcoming Irish EU Presidency.

The initiative was announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD on January 16. 

During the EU Presidency term, between July and December 2026, Ambassadors of EU Member States in Ireland, accompanied by the Irish Ambassador in the relevant EU Member State capital, will visit counties across Ireland to undertake a programme of public engagements. 

This will focus on Ireland’s European relations and its role in the European Union as each county in the State will be paired with a specific Member State of the EU for the period of the Presidency.

As part of the initiative outlined by the Government, the Belgian Ambassador to Ireland, Nicolas Nihon is set to visit Offaly in order to participate in a range of public events, including talks at local libraries and visits to schools, as well as engaging with local authorities and local communities through sporting, community, youth and civil society organisations. 

The Irish Government believes that these visits will help to strengthen links between counties across Ireland and other EU Member States as the country takes on a significant leadership role at European level.

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Speaking at the announcement of the initiative, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD said: "Our EU Presidency will be a very significant undertaking for Ireland, and one in which the whole country will participate. The Presidency will allow us to showcase the best of Ireland to our partners from all across Europe."

She also emphasized the importance of the upcoming programme for building strong relationships with European member states. She explained: "This initiative will promote and facilitate direct engagement between communities across Ireland and our partners in other EU Member States, and help to strengthen each county’s cultural, business and community links with other parts of Europe.

Thomas Byrne TD outlined the awareness that the initiative can bring to Ireland's vital role within the European Union. He commented: "Since last year, I have visited villages, towns and cities across Ireland, to talk with people about the importance of our EU membership and the role that Ireland will play during our EU Presidency."

The Minister of State for European Affairs continued: "In all these visits, the strong interest in discussing Ireland’s place in the EU, and our relationships with other parts of Europe, has been very evident. I know this initiative will help to build on that interest and deepen the relationships communities across the country have with our European partners."

The programme of visits by Ambassadors will commence in July 2026, following the opening of Ireland’s EU Presidency term.