A special briefing marking Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2025, hosted in the Department of Foreign Affairs offices in Dublin, European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O Connell, with contributions from Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne TD and the Ambassador of Denmark to Ireland, His Excellency Lars Thuesen.
8 July 2025 The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and European Movement Ireland hosted a briefing on Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Dublin. On 1 July Denmark commenced its Presidency, with the motto ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’.
The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, and the Ambassador of Denmark to Ireland, His Excellency Lars Thuesen, engaged in a discussion on the priorities for the Presidency. The event was moderated by European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O Connell with members and stakeholders of the organisation, as well as Ambassadors from EU member states and other countries in attendance.
Speaking in advance of the briefing, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, said; “Over 50 years ago in 1973, Denmark and Ireland joined the EEC together with a shared sense of ambition for their countries, within the European family of member states. I am very glad to mark Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, and the friendship shared between our two countries.
“During these uncertain times, Denmark is putting forward an ambitious agenda for their EU Presidency, placing European security, EU competitiveness and the green transition, as a driver for jobs and economic growth, at the heart of their Presidency. I look forward to working with my Danish colleagues over their Presidency as we work to build a stronger Europe in a changing world.”
The key policy priorities of Denmark’s EU Presidency include strengthening European defence, continuing support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression, advancing the green transition by advancing the EU’s 2040 climate targets, driving EU competitiveness, and progressing accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.
Ambassador of Denmark, His Excellency Lars Thuesen said: “Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the EU embraces a pivotal and unprecedented time for Europe. With Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine and a changing world order, there has never been a greater need for unity, ambition, resilience and action. The EU must work to secure its own future: strengthen its security, drive EU competitiveness, and lead the green transition. I’m proud to mark this important chapter for Denmark and trust this EU Presidency will deliver for citizens across Europe.”
The Danish EU Presidency is part of a presidency trio with Poland and Cyprus. The trio sets goals and prepares a common programme outlining the priority issues to be addressed over an 18-month period. This is the eight Presidency held by Denmark, when it last chaired the Council in 2012. Denmark’s Presidency will last six months and conclude in December 2025, with it then proceeding to Cyprus from the beginning of 2026. Following Cyprus, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July 2026, marking its eight-time chairing the Council.
Learn more: Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union