Visit by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to Dublin, 23-24 April 2015

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls travelled to Dublin for a two day visit on 23-24 April. In the course of the visit, Mr Valls met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton as well as key Irish business and political figures and attended a ceremony to inaugurate the new Embassy of France in Ireland in Merrion Square.

During a cordial and productive meeting on Friday 24 April, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Valls saluted the historic relationship between Ireland and France. This relationship is based on many centuries of human, cultural, political and economic connections, and today is stronger and closer than ever, with a rich variety of bilateral links and new projects situated in the context of partnership within the European Union.

The two leaders discussed the recent tragic deaths in the Mediterranean, the historic relationship between Ireland and France, and the steadily improving economic outlook in both countries and across the euro area. Prime Minister Valls expressed the thanks of France to the Government and to the people of Ireland for their expression of solidarity with the people of France following the attacks in Paris in January.

They agreed on the urgent importance of strengthening EU policies to support growth and jobs by boosting investment, fostering reforms, and ensuring growth-friendly fiscal consolidation.

Prime Minister Valls and the Taoiseach also welcomed the agreements signed in their presence between the relevant agencies to build further on the many existing bilateral academic and professional exchanges and in particular to promote specifically within the framework of the European programme Erasmus+ exchanges for students and professionals in the area of tourism and hospitality, a strategic sector with major job opportunities in both countries. Cooperation in postgraduate research will also be actively encouraged, with the support of Irish and French companies being sought. They asked that further and deeper cooperation in the scientific research area be actively explored. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Valls also agreed to explore opportunities for closer cooperation in the field of design. Ireland has designated 2015 as the Year of Irish Design.

View the official press release and video of press conference.