Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee opened the Informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Druids Glen, County Wicklow, Ireland.
McEntee said the Irish Presidency comes at a moment of profound security and defence challenges for Europe, stressing that there has rarely been a greater need for EU countries to cooperate more closely and share experience.
She said one of the Presidency’s core priorities is continued support for Ukraine, especially after significant casualties over the summer. McEntee underlined that political, financial and military support for Ukraine remains absolutely essential.
The Irish minister also highlighted maritime security, warning of increased risks to Europe’s maritime domain, including threats to critical infrastructure, subsea cables and growing hybrid activity.
She said Europe must strengthen preparedness and resilience against hybrid threats, cyber attacks, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure.
McEntee also pointed to the Middle East and Lebanon, saying ministers would discuss how Europe can maintain international peacekeeping and security engagement as the UNIFIL mission unwinds.
Her message was direct: Europe must move faster, work together and strengthen its ability to respond when security threats reach land, sea, cyberspace and critical infrastructure.
#eudebates #EUDefence #HelenMcEntee #Ukraine
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee opened the Informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Druids Glen, County Wicklow, Ireland.
McEntee said the Irish Presidency comes at a moment of profound security and defence challenges for Europe, stressing that there has rarely been a greater need for EU countries to cooperate more closely and share experience.
She said one of the Presidency’s core priorities is continued support for Ukraine, especially after significant casualties over the summer. McEntee underlined that political, financial and military support for Ukraine remains absolutely essential.
The Irish minister also highlighted maritime security, warning of increased risks to Europe’s maritime domain, including threats to critical infrastructure, subsea cables and growing hybrid activity.
She said Europe must strengthen preparedness and resilience against hybrid threats, cyber attacks, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure.
McEntee also pointed to the Middle East and Lebanon, saying ministers would discuss how Europe can maintain international peacekeeping and security engagement as the UNIFIL mission unwinds.
Her message was direct: Europe must move faster, work together and strengthen its ability to respond when security threats reach land, sea, cyberspace and critical infrastructure.
#eudebates #EUDefence #HelenMcEntee #Ukraine
