Ireland's foreign affairs minister, Helen McEntee, is travelling to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a diplomatic visit to the Gulf states. She began the trip in Qatar.
Meetings with Saudi and UAE Counterparts
On Tuesday, McEntee will meet Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. She will then travel to the UAE for talks with foreign trade minister Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi.
McEntee said she looked forward to meeting accomplished Saudi women and noted that the UAE hosts a large Irish diaspora.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
“Ireland’s partnership with Saudi Arabia spans more than 50 years and is underpinned by strong people-to-people links,” she said. “I look forward to discussing our growing relationship with foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, alongside regional developments, including the situation in the Gulf, Lebanon and the Middle East peace process.”
She added: “I am particularly looking forward to meeting accomplished Saudi women, including graduates of Irish universities, and hearing first hand about the country’s social and economic transformation and the contribution Irish expertise is making.”
Engagement with UAE and Qatar
“The UAE is home to one of the largest Irish communities in the region and is one of Ireland’s closest economic partners in the Gulf. In my meeting with Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi, I look forward to exploring new opportunities to expand trade, investment and business links between our countries,” McEntee said.
On Monday, McEntee met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and foreign affairs minister Sultan Al Muraikhi. Discussions focused on regional peace and security, the role Ireland and the EU can play in supporting stability, and strengthening economic ties between Ireland and Qatar.
“It was a pleasure to meet members of the Irish community in Qatar and hear about their lives and experiences,” McEntee said. “They make an important contribution both here and in strengthening the relationship between Ireland and Qatar.”
She also signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations with Qatar, describing it as “an important step in deepening Ireland’s relationship with Qatar.”
Regional Stability and Global Impact
McEntee highlighted the broader context of the visit: “Recent events in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz are a reminder that global instability has real consequences at home. Ireland’s prosperity and security depend on strong international partnerships, which is why engagement in this region matters.”
“This visit is about deepening our relationships with key partners, supporting international efforts for peace and stability, and creating new opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation,” she concluded.
