Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 15, inclusive, together.

I attended the meeting of the European Council on 29 and 30 June in Brussels and I will report to the House in detail on the meeting later this afternoon. We discussed Ukraine, economic issues, security and defence, migration, and external relations, including with China. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke via video conference, updating us on the situation on the ground, including following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. We reaffirmed our enduring solidarity with Ukraine, acknowledged Ukraine’s commitment to EU accession, and discussed future security commitments to Ukraine recognising that they must be in full respect of security and defence policies of all member states, including Ireland. Leaders welcomed progress on the establishment of a tribunal to ensure Russian accountability; took stock of work exploring the use of immobilised Russian assets; welcomed the adoption of the 11th sanctions package; and reviewed efforts to further weaken Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Leaders discussed the current economic situation, including economic security issues, and Europe’s long-term competitiveness. We called for an independent report on the future development of the Single Market to be published by 2024. On migration, leaders were unified in their sorrow at the loss of life in the Mediterranean in June. We discussed the need to step up efforts to prevent irregular departures and loss of life, to strengthen borders, and in the fight against smugglers.

On security and defence, we considered progress on the strategic compass, and welcomed the decision to increase the ceiling of the European Peace Facility and to maintain the Union’s ability to respond to crises and conflicts. Ahead of our meeting, we met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and discussed EU-NATO co-operation.

We had a strategic discussion on relations with China. A stable relationship with China is important, including given the role it needs to play on global challenges such as climate change. At the same time, we need to consider dependencies in our supply chains in circumstances where they could pose unacceptable economic risks. We reiterated the EU’s commitment to human rights and expressed concerns regarding Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.

During our meeting, we also discussed the development of a comprehensive partnership package with Tunisia; reiterated our commitment to the EU perspective of the western Balkans; and condemned the recent violent incidents in the north of Kosovo and called for a de-escalation of the situation. We reaffirmed our commitment to finding a settlement to the situation in Cyprus and called a resumption of negotiations. We also discussed preparations for the EU-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the EU-CELAC summit, which I will attend in Brussels next week.

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