The 27 heads of state and government will head to rural Belgium next month for a ‘leaders retreat’.
The participation of the Taoiseach could depend on where developments are at with forming the next Irish government.
Despite Ireland’s policy of neutrality, it does take an active part in EU discussions on defence.
Ireland has also contributed million of Euro to the European Defence Fund, the EU’s defence research funding.
Ireland has also contributed to the European Peace Facility, part of which has been spent on Ukraine. Ireland’s contribution is used for so-called non-lethal equipment.
The meeting of EU leaders on 3rd February at Château de Limont in rural Belgium aims to discuss European defence in light of current threats, particularly from Russia.
The official invite letter was sent out today by the President of the European Council.
António Costa said “Europe needs to assume greater responsibility for its own defence” and a need to work together on building up Europe’s defences.
“We have a common interest in cooperating more closely at European level in order to maximise economies of scale and reduce costs, guarantee interoperability, ensure stable and long-term demand – so as to give more predictability to our industry – and prevent duplication.”
NATO Secretary General and former Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, will join the leaders over lunch.
He has urged the EU not to exclude Britain and US from EU defence contracts. To do so would be an act of “self-harm” resulting in increased costs. It would also “complicate production and hamper innovation”, Rutte warned on Monday.
Rutte believes NATO and the EU need to work together more effectively.
“I agreed with Ursula [von der Leyen] that whenever there is an issue [which remains unsolved]…she and I will phone each other and we will only hang up when we have agreed. Even if it takes the whole weekend and we cannot eat in the meantime”.
Back at the retreat, in the evening, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer will jet in for dinner. It is expected to be a key moment towards warmer British-EU relations.
But there will not be time for a wider discussion on Brexit.
“The UK is a key partner for the European Union, notably in the field of defence. I expect the discussion to focus on that dimension of our relationship”, Costa said.