The Taoiseach will join the Tánaiste in Germany today to attend the Munich Security Conference.

The two will meet partners from across Europe, the Middle East and North America to discuss key foreign policy issues.

The conference is regarded as the world’s leading discussion forum for international security policy and is attended by senior political figures, including many heads of State or Government, as well as leading policy experts.

The ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on European and global security, as well as the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East will be discussed.

On Saturday, February 15th, Taoiseach Micheál Martin will participate in an event hosted by President Zelenskyy of Ukraine on global food security.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin on his way to enter Goverment Buildings. On Wednesday, 14 June 2021, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

Speaking ahead of his attendance, the Taoiseach said that at a time of heightened tension globally, his attendance at the Munich Security Conference “provides an important opportunity to discuss our many shared challenges” and to “set out our perspective on how best to manage these challenges”.

“Ireland is, and will remain militarily neutral, and that is well understood and respected,” he said.

“But this does not remove us from the discussion on how we meet the security risks faced by us all and how we keep ourselves safe, especially from new cyber and hybrid threats.

“I will be reiterating Ireland’s long-standing support for a robust rules-based international order, strong multinational institutions and our unambiguous commitment to international law and fundamental human rights.

“I will also be engaging with other leaders to discuss the most pressing challenges to global security, not least Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.”

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, shakes hands with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin. July 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko)

The Taoiseach emphasised it is more important than ever to stress Ireland’s “steadfast support for Ukraine” and “our strong commitment to helping them achieve a just and sustainable peace based on the principles of the UN Charter”.

“The terms and conditions for any peace agreement must be in line with these principles. There can be no agreement on Ukraine without Ukraine,” he said.

Speaking about “the situation in Gaza”, Micheál Martin said Ireland needs to “work with partners to ensure the continued implementation of the hostage release and ceasefire deal, and a continued surge in unhindered humanitarian assistance”.

“I will also discuss with partners the prospects for a lasting peace settlement, based on a two-state solution,” he said.

US Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel arrive at Munich Airport to take part in the security conference. 13th Feb, 2025 Credit: Felix Horhager/dpa/Alamy Live News

This security conference comes as German terror police investigate a car attack in Munich that injured 28 people when Mini Cooper drove into a crowd.

The attack took place a mile away from the venue of the Security Conference which will see the US vice president JD Vance and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance.

Micheál Martin and Simon Harris, Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie