Taoiseach Simon Harris has discussed the "deep and binding friendship" that Ireland has with the UK with Britain's King Charles, while attending the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire, England.
The event is focusing on security issues, including the war in Ukraine, and is being attended by more than 40 leaders from across Europe.
In a post on the social media platform X, Mr Harris said that he discussed "the deep and binding friendship between our two countries" with him.
"I told him he is always welcome in Ireland," the Taoiseach said.
A pleasure to meet King Charles in Blenheim today. The King and I discussed the deep and binding friendship between our two countries. I told him he is always welcome in Ireland pic.twitter.com/1l8rBryGfK
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 18, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is also attending the summit, urged fellow leaders to show a collective will to defeat Russia.
Mr Harris said that the European family should stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Regarding UK efforts to form a closer relationship with the European Union around migration, the Taoiseach said the scrapping of the Rwanda Scheme and London's recommitment to the European Court of Human Rights were significant moves on the part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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Yesterday evening, Mr Harris held a bilateral meeting with Mr Starmer at Chequers.
Both agreed to annual summits, led by both leaders, which would see the UK and Irish governments work on joint initiatives.
Mr Starmer also agreed to visit Ireland on 7 September.
The EPC was established two years ago, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It provides an opportunity for 47 countries both inside and outside the EU to engage with each other on matters of shared interest.
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Today's meeting is being hosted by the UK, and focuses on European security, including the spread of disinformation.
Speaking before the event, Mr Starmer said that the "EPC will fire the starting gun on this government’s new approach to Europe, one that will not just benefit us now, but for generations to come, from dismantling the people smuggling webs trafficking people across Europe, to standing up to Putin’s barbaric actions in Ukraine and destabilising activity across Europe".
Tackling disinformation is also set to be a focus of today's summit.
Before travelling to Oxfordshire, Mr Harris committed to advocating "for a multi-stakeholder approach to combatting disinformation and foreign interference, which is threatening to undermine our electoral processes, and for greater support for international organisations, including the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, who are working hard to protect and promote the fundamental values that are the bedrock of our vibrant democracies".
