Dublin, Ireland. Cyprus has been paired with County Leitrim as part of Ireland’s preparations for its takeover of the Council of the European Union’s rotating presidency in the second half of this year. The Irish government said the initiative is intended to support public engagement during the six-month term.
County pairings for EU member states
Ireland has paired each of the EU’s 26 member states, excluding Ireland itself, with a county in Ireland.
The Irish government said that during Ireland’s six-month term holding the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency, the ambassador of each member state and the Irish ambassador to that state will undertake a programme of public engagements focused on Ireland’s European relations and its role in the European Union.
It said ambassadors will participate in public events including talks at local libraries and visits to schools, and will also engage with local authorities and local communities through sporting, community, youth, and civil society organisations.
The government said the visits are intended to strengthen links between counties across Ireland and other EU member states and to contribute to building Ireland’s relationship with its EU partners as Ireland takes on a leadership role at European level.
Foreign minister comments
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said Ireland’s forthcoming six-month term is an opportunity to reflect on European relationships and the advantages and responsibilities of EU membership.
She said the initiative will help promote a national conversation on the importance of EU membership and European relationships against what she described as a challenging global environment.
About County Leitrim
County Leitrim is located in northwest Ireland and borders Donegal to its north, Fermanagh and Cavan to its east, Longford and Roscommon to its south, and Sligo to its west.
It is Ireland’s smallest county by population, with 35,199 people recorded in the 2022 census, and has the smallest coastline of any county that is not landlocked, with 4.7 kilometres between Sligo and Donegal touching the Atlantic.
The county town, Carrick-on-Shannon, has a population of 4,473 and is located on Ireland’s longest river, the Shannon.
What do you think the county pairing initiative will add to public engagement during Ireland’s EU Council presidency?
