Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to meet French president Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée palace in Paris on Thursday afternoon.
The leaders will discuss a number of issues during a working lunch including energy, the global economic outlook and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
During his visit Mr Martin will also attend the Irish College, home of the Centre Culturel Irlandais (Irish Cultural Centre), where he will meet representatives of the Irish Community in France.
During the evening, he will deliver the keynote address at the Ireland France Business Awards dinner.
Christmas digestifs: buckle up for the strong stuff once dinner is done
Western indifference to Israel’s thirst for war defines a grotesque year of hypocrisy
Why do so many news sites look so boringly similar? Because they have to play by Google and Meta’s rules
Christmas dinner for under €35? We went shopping to see what the grocery shop really costs
“[The visit] comes at a time when relations between Ireland and France have never been better,” Mr Martin said ahead of his departure.
“We will also, of course, discuss the big challenges facing Europe and the wider world [including] energy, the slowing economic outlook, and the immoral war Russia is waging on Ukraine.
“As winter approaches, and as Russia continues its relentless attacks on vital civilian infrastructure, Ukraine’s citizens are facing into a very difficult winter without heat and electricity. I will be discussing with President Macron how the EU can continue to provide the humanitarian support Ukraine will need.”
On Friday, Mr Martin will attend a signing ceremony for the Celtic Inter-Connector - a project linking electricity grids in Ireland and France – which will also be attended by Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan and the French minister for energy transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
The Taoiseach will address a business breakfast at the Irish Embassy on Friday morning which will focus on energy cooperation between the two countries.
