Simon Harris gallantly arrived in Brussels like a hero from a western tale, for his inaugural EU summit as Taoiseach, holding the position of the youngest member in Europe’s elite club. The summit saw the entry of three fresh faces including Harris; Portugal’s prime minister Luis Montenegro and Dimitar Glavchev from Bulgaria also marked their premier attendance. The democratic nature of Europe allows for a frequent change of leaders at its paramount authoritative table – a right that the European electorate is inclined to practice. Leaders are aware that their tenure will inevitably find an end; complacency is a luxury none can afford. Short lived as their tenure might be, warm receptions were nevertheless offered around the room.
In the council chamber, snapshots showed Commission president Ursula von der Leyen giving Harris a hospitable European kiss, while a more formal handshake was offered to von der Leyen’s fellow countryman, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. The new Taoiseach exuded confidence as he met dignitaries, exchanged handshakes and shared cordial smiles.
In response to a journalist’s question concerning his limited experience, Harris dismissed any doubts, saying, “Indeed, my tenure as Taoiseach spans just over a week, and my visits to Brussels now tally to two. I’ve discussed matters with half a dozen European prime ministers and conferred with the three heads of European institutions. My ten-year tenure as a minister and minister of state, and an experience of eight years at the Cabinet table, show that I bring to the office a substantial amount of governmental experience. Regardless, attending a European Council meeting for the first time is a unique experience – everyone experiences it for the first time on their debut.”
With evident assurance, Harris proved he’s ready to fill his predecessor’s shoes.
Earlier, the royal king of Belgians welcomed the leaders at his palace. It would not be surprising to believe that Harris’s preparations may have included a reminder that he was dealing with the king of the Belgians, and not the king of Belgium.
In more straightforward times, there were only a few annual summits. However, with the escalating growth and expansion of the European Union, this number has significantly increased. At present, the schedule includes 4 summits annually: March, June, October, and December. Still, in reality, this number could potentially double due to an unpredictable world that calls for increased deliberation, unanimous decisions, and organised efforts from its 27 leaders. Even though we’re only nearing the end of April, we have already witnessed the third summit. This means higher profits for Brussel’s hospitality industry and more overtime for the security personnel. However, the downside is the increasing carbon footprint of the leaders.
Discussions regarding wars dominated the Wednesday night meeting – touching on conflicts in Gaza, the possibility of a war between Iran and Israel, and the Ukraine war, which received the most attention especially from central and eastern European countries, which Ireland remains largely unaffected by.
The apprehension of Ukraine’s defeat is escalating, coupled with the harsh reality that this could trigger additional refugee waves moving west within the EU. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, connected via video link to express his needs, which include weaponry, vehicles, drones, and everything needed to secure the frontline.
As for Gaza, Harris was content that the EU had endorsed an instantaneous ceasefire, firming its stance from last month. However, the intended achievement of such a demand remains unclear.
On Thursday, the focus shifted to internal EU matters, including the recurring question of refining the capital markets of the EU. The simplified synopsis involves utilising the EU’s massive savings to promote investment, employment, and growth. However, there are fears in Ireland and other nations of a French “smash and grab” on their financial service industries. Moreover, there are worries in Dublin about incorporating tax standardisation within the plans. Therefore, just like his predecessors, Harris defended Ireland’s economic benefits, the most pro EU nation from plans, which could potentially cause harm. The following summit scheduled for June will address EU’s top positions for the next half-decade. It’s confirmed that Harris won’t be considered as he already secured his preferred position.