Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin TD, has announced the opening of five new overseas missions under the Global Ireland programme, further strengthening Ireland’s global presence and influence.
The Tánaiste received Government approval on Tuesday, March 5, for the opening of new Embassies in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moldova, and new Consulates General in Málaga and Melbourne.
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said the Irish Government also discussed the possibility of a mission presence in the future in Montenegro, given Ireland’s strong support for its EU Candidacy.
As part of the #GlobalIreland expansion of our international footprint, the Tánaiste @MichealMartinTD has today announced the opening of 5 new 🇮🇪 missions in 🇷🇸 🇧🇦 🇲🇩 🇪🇸 & 🇦🇺.
Full statement available at https://t.co/mTt44V8Jz9 pic.twitter.com/JX6xS7kzt7
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) March 5, 2024
Speaking after Cabinet on Tuesday, the Tánaiste said: “Ireland is broadening its existing networks and building new partnerships across the world.
"Today’s decision will bring to 27 the number of new missions opened since 2018. This expansion is amplifying Ireland’s voice in the world.
“Our new Embassies in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moldova are a clear statement of Ireland’s commitment to EU enlargement. This represents a major scaling up of our investment in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood, where we are a strong supporter of regional stability and post-conflict reconciliation. Countries in the region look to Ireland as an example of how a country can benefit from, and contribute to, the European Union.
“The decision to open a Consulate General in Málaga is driven by the need to put our citizens first and protect them when they are travelling abroad. Spain is our most popular overseas holiday destination with about two and a half million visits to the country from Ireland every year. Our Embassy in Madrid does a fantastic job and this work will be strengthened with a Consulate General that is on hand to support our citizens locally.
“A new Consulate General in Melbourne will give Ireland a stronger platform in this thriving economic hub, which is also home to vibrant Irish diaspora communities. Australia is the world’s sixth largest country and Melbourne is on track to be its biggest city by 2030. This is somewhere we need to be, making our links to Australia even stronger."
Global Ireland 2025 is a whole-of-Government strategy that aims to double Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025.
Ireland’s diplomatic network comprises 99 missions across the world. To date, under the Global Ireland Strategy, 19 new Missions have opened, while additional Missions in Islamabad, Milan, and Munich are scheduled to open this year, out of a target of at least 26 new missions by 2025.
The 22 missions opened or announced under the Global Ireland Strategy are: Embassies in Kyiv, Rabat, Wellington, Bogotá, Amman, Monrovia, Santiago de Chile, Tehran, Manila, Dakar, and Islamabad; and Consulates General in Vancouver, Mumbai, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Cardiff, Manchester, Lyon, Miami, Toronto, Milan, and Munich.
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs noted that this expansion has been complemented by the strengthening of strategically important missions, including by the assignment of additional staff from several Government Departments.
The Review of the Global Ireland Strategy adopted by the Government in July 2023 confirmed that the Strategy was delivering across a wide range of areas and reaffirmed the goal of opening at least 26 new missions by 2025.
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