Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address the Chairman and members of the committee on recent developments at the Foreign Affairs Council. I received the sad news this morning that two young Irishmen had lost their lives in an accident in Perth, Australia. As the committee is aware, this year many Irish families have lost loved ones overseas. I am aware of the work and commitment of the committee to Irish citizens abroad and I am sure the Chairman and members will join us in expressing our condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased. I assure the committee that, as in all such tragic cases, our embassy and consular network will provide any and all assistance that may be required at this difficult time.

My statement will focus on the Foreign Affairs Council meetings held in July, October and November. In addition, I will look ahead to the Council meeting in December.

During the period under review many issues have been addressed by the Council on which I will provide an update for the committee. I will then be more than happy to answer questions and hear suggestions members may have. It is important to look forward and I always welcome the positive and constructive engagement of the committee. I acknowledge the non-partisan nature of its deliberations and engagement.

I attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, 16 November, which took place in the shadow of the horrific attacks in Paris. The meeting was an important coming together of EU Foreign Ministers at a critical time to demonstrate our support and solidarity with our French colleagues and our unity as a union of member states in the face on this assault on citizens and our value system. I conveyed the condolences and fellowship of the Irish people to the French Minister for Europe, Harlem Désir, who was present at the meeting.

The Foreign Affairs Council had a discussion on migration and there was a clear view that the issue of could not and should not be conflated with the appalling acts of terrorism in Paris. Migration has been a key topic at many recent meetings of the Council. The scale of the migration challenge facing the European Union is enormous. The conflict in Syria, the biggest driver behind this year’s migrant flows, has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, but the problem is bigger than Syria. An estimated 60 million displaced people worldwide are on the move, the highest number since the Second World War. They are coming not just from Syria but also from such places as Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza and a dozen or so countries in sub-Saharan and north Africa.

In recent weeks the European Union has intensified its response to the crisis. During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting last week my colleagues and I discussed the importance of implementing the decisions already taken in this area. In particular, we welcomed the action plan agreed to at the Valletta Summit of 11 and 12 November. The action plan lays out medium and long-term policies to address the root causes of migration. The key deliverable of the summit which brought together EU and African leaders was the establishment of the trust fund to address the root causes of migration in Africa, with €1.8 billion from the European Development Fund and additional bilateral contributions, to which Ireland is contributing €3 million.

In addition, there was a Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on Monday, 9 November, while the Valletta Summit was followed by an informal European Council meeting called by President Tusk to assess the progress made by the European Union in fulfilling its earlier commitments. The October European Council agreed that tackling the migration crisis was a common obligation which required a comprehensive strategy and a determined effort over time “in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility”. The Council welcomed the EU-Turkey action plan, a key element of which is addressing migration to the European Union via Turkey. The Council also agreed to new measures aimed at strengthening the European Union’s external borders. Third countries are key players in reducing the volume of migration flows and Turkey, in particular, since the majority of migrants transit through it on their journey to Europe. Turkey and the European Union are working to finalise a joint action plan. At the informal summit called by President Tusk on Thursday, 12 November, EU leaders agreed to hold a special summit with Turkey at the end of November. This summit will take place this Sunday, 29 November.

The migrant crisis resulting from the continuing conflict in Syria has brought a foreign policy issue to European doorsteps in a way that is rarely seen. It has brought home to us how conflicts in the European Union's neighbourhoods can impact on the union, down to the level of towns and citizens. The newly formed International Syria Support Group brings together all of the key external stakeholders in the conflict. The high representative is one of those attending. The coming together in that context of countries that otherwise have little or no direct engagement shows a seriousness of purpose which is essential in dealing with the massive challenge faced. They have set themselves ambitious goals to be achieved in a tight timetable. The key elements include formal negotiations with the aim being that they should start by 1 January; establishment of a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian government; a constitutional reform process and free and fair elections under UN supervision within 18 months. This is in line with the conclusions adopted at the October Council which underlined “the need to accelerate the work of the entire international community on the political track in the framework of the UN-led process”.

The Middle East peace process appeared on the Council’s agenda in July and November and is expected to be discussed again at next month’s meeting. Conclusions were adopted in July. That period has also coincided with a significant upsurge in violence, primarily in Jerusalem and Hebron but also spreading to other areas. In common with others, I deplore any resort to violent attacks on civilians. I have condemned any use of violence, encouraged calm and de-escalation and urged positive leadership on the issues that may be contributing to individuals adopting such a dreadful path. While I appreciate the frustration of those who see no political end in sight, it does not justify resorting to violence. However, any security response to the violence must be proportionate.

Just ahead of the November meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, the Commission published an “Interpretative Notice on indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967”, also called, in shorthand, the guidelines on the labelling of goods from the settlements. I was one of those who had called for this notice to be published and I welcome it. However, I want to be clear that it does not represent sanctions on Israel. It involves no new law; instead, it is a tool to ensure consumers can make informed decisions.

The agreement reached on Iran at the beginning of July was very significant and welcomed by Foreign Ministers at the Council meeting in July. Significant potential hurdles in implementing the agreement in both Iran and the USA have been surmounted. To date, reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, and others indicate that the steps required to implement the agreement are being carried out as intended. It remains the assessment, therefore, that the agreement is on schedule to be fully in operation early in the new year, at which stage most of the nuclear-related international sanctions on Iran will be removed.

Libya is currently in political limbo as it continues to transition towards democracy and stability. The matter was discussed at the July Foreign Affairs Council when it seemed that the disparate factions were beginning to approach agreement, although the General National Congress in control of Tripoli remained largely outside the process.

Following the announcement by the UN special representative, Mr. Bernardino Léon, of nominees for the government of national accord the week before, Libya was added to the October Foreign Affairs Council agenda. Council conclusions were adopted supporting the progress made by Mr. Léon and encouraging the various parties to endorse the peace agreement. The European Union stated it would work in close partnership with the government of national accord, once formed, and that it was prepared to offer immediate and substantial support. Sadly, little progress has been made since. The agreement remains unsigned as the factions continue to debate, in particular, the composition of the presidential council. Libya is again on the agenda for the December Council meeting. Mr. Léon was replaced on 17 November by Mr. Martin Kobler, whom I wish every success in this new role. I emphasise my support of the position stated repeatedly by the European Union, namely, that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis. Only a political settlement can achieve peace and stability for Libya and its people.

At the July Council meeting I spoke directly to the Prime Minister, Mr. Essib, and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Baccouche, to underline Ireland’s support for Tunisia’s transition to democracy and the need to counter the terrorist threat to Tunisian political and economic reform. I also made clear our absolute abhorrence of the murder of three of our citizens in Tunisia would strengthen our solidarity with the people of Tunisia, who have also suffered greatly from the impact of terrorism. The European Union has already made clear its commitment to support Tunisia in its development towards a prosperous, secure and democratic state. The core issue is how the European Union can strengthen Tunisia in tackling the threat of extremism, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, supporting stability and prosperity for the Tunisian people. This will be an ongoing, if challenging and difficult, effort. Our task is to work through the European Union with the Tunisian authorities, the legitimacy of which must also be strengthened. It is for us to engage with them and work collaboratively to address our shared needs and interests. That was the clear consensus among European Foreign Ministers and, equally importantly, with the Tunisian authorities. This consensus to work together is underlined all the more by yesterday's brutal and horrific attack with consequent loss of life. It confirms our need to ensure active and positive engagement.

I welcome the adoption of the second EU action plan on human rights and democracy for the period 2015 to 2019 at the Council on 20 July, following on from the first plan adopted in June 2012. The plan will help to increase the effectiveness of the European Union in promoting and protecting human rights worldwide at a time of increasing violations and abuses. It covers a wide range of issues; however, the increasingly vicious attacks on religious minorities, particularly in the Middle East, are a cause for serious concern. Members of minority religious communities, including those of Christian, Muslim and Baha’i faith, have been subjected to appalling levels of violence, discrimination and harassment. Ireland has been vocal in this regard and pressed for the inclusion of a specific action on the freedom of religion or belief, which is reflected in the action plan. I am also particularly concerned about the increasing attacks on civil society in several countries and the parallel harassment of human rights defenders. Ireland worked within the European Union to ensure these concerns were included in the action plan.

The European Union has commenced consideration of a possible successor framework to the Cotonou partnership agreement which covers the Union’s relationship with the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, group of countries. Given the focus of its aid programme, Ireland attaches great importance to its relationship with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Eight of the nine of our programme countries are in sub-Saharan Africa where poverty remains most persistent. The European Development Fund which allocates more than 90% of its funding to programmes in Africa complements our aid focus. The upcoming expiration of the agreement in 2020 will provide an excellent opportunity to take a close look at the ACP-EU partnership and assess whether the Cotonou framework is still the most appropriate model for the European Union's engagement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries. I understand this issue was addressed recently by the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, at a meeting of the committee. In this context, we must be open to all ideas, taking into account the recently agreed 2030 agenda which, given its universal nature, provides a new approach for a strategic and equal partnership with the ACP countries. The Council meeting in October stressed the need to keep an open mind at this stage of the process. A staff working document is expected by next spring and will serve as a basis for further discussions in the Council and with ACP partners. Ireland looks forward to constructive negotiations which will benefit all partners in the strengthening and evolution of our relationship post the Cotonou agreement in order that we can find the most appropriate and effective way to deal with the common challenges and opportunities ahead.

I now turn to the upcoming December Council meeting. The agenda for the meeting has not yet been settled; however, the high representative has indicated that the Middle East peace process, Libya, Iraq and the Eastern Partnership may feature.

The Eastern Partnership was due to be discussed at the November Foreign Affairs Council meeting when the high representative was expected to report on her recent trips to Ukraine and Georgia and discuss the situation in Moldova. Ministers were also expected to discuss broader developments in the Eastern Partnership region, particularly in the light of commitments made at the Riga Summit. Owing to a full agenda, however, particularly following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November, this discussion was postponed until December.

The security situation in the east of Ukraine has greatly improved in recent weeks, with a significant reduction in violence since a new ceasefire was agreed on 1 September. The position, however, remains fragile and I am concerned about reports of an increase in the number of incidents along the contact line in the past two weeks. I commend the OSCE special monitoring mission for its impartial reporting on the ceasefire and pull-back of weapons, as well as the role it plays in facilitating the restoration of vital infrastructure, prisoner exchanges and demining operations. The respite in violence has provided a platform for progress to be made on the political track. While this progress is welcome, we cannot lose sight of the fact that key elements of the Minsk agreements remain to be addressed. They include the withdrawal of all foreign troops and equipment from eastern Ukraine and the restoration of Ukrainian control of its border with Russia. For this reason, it is vital the positive momentum we have seen in recent weeks is maintained and that work to implement the remaining parts of the Minsk agreements is treated as a priority by all involved. The discussion will provide Ministers with an opportunity to assess the implementation of Ukraine’s national reform programme. I visited Kyiv in July and at meetings with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Mr. Klimkin, and others in government and the parliament I was greatly impressed by the resolve on the part of Ukraine to address the many challenges the country faced and its determination to offer a better future for its people. I underlined the importance of continuing on the reform path and assured those whom I met of the European Union's commitment and Ireland’s continued support for the transformation process in Ukraine.

I thank the Chairman and members of the committee for their time and patience in allowing me to give them a review. They will agree that the Foreign Affairs Council has faced a varied and diverse agenda in recent months. I am happy to deal with questions or observations they might have. On international challenges and relations, the agenda is always full. I would like to see the Chairman and the committee continue the great level of engagement and commitment they have shown in recent times. Notwithstanding the events of next spring, I hope the committee will continue its active travel and engagement on the international stage.