Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together.

I attended the European Council meeting on Thursday, 20 March where leaders continued discussions on Ukraine and European defence and security. Other topics discussed were the Middle East, competitiveness, the next multi-annual financial framework, MFF, new own resources, migration, oceans, multilateralism and the western Balkans. Leaders were joined by the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, for a working lunch and a euro summit took place on the margins of the meeting.

We were also joined via video conference call by President Zelenskyy for an exchange of views on Ukraine. Leaders recalled the principles to be adhered to in negotiations for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace set out at the 6 March special European Council. We welcomed the joint statement by Ukraine and the US on a ceasefire proposal, humanitarian efforts and the resumption of US intelligence sharing and security assistance. The European Council called on Russia to show real political will to end the war and stated that a credible pathway to peace must include humanitarian relief efforts, including prisoner exchange, release of civilians and the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported to Russia and Belarus.

Continuing our discussion on European defence and security from the 6 March special European Council, and in light of the publication of the Commission's White Paper on the future of European defence, leaders called for the ramping up of member states' defence readiness within the next five years. The need to invest in defence is important for the security and preparedness of member states.

On the Middle East, leaders took stock of the latest developments and deplored the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza and the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages. We called for the immediate return to full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage agreement. On Syria, leaders condemned the widespread violence against civilians, stressing the importance of a peaceful and inclusive transition. We welcomed the end of the political impasse in Lebanon.

The discussion on competitiveness focused on simplification, reducing the administrative burden, reducing energy prices and increasing private investment through the savings and investments union. The European Council welcomed the competitiveness compass, the clean industrial deal and the omnibus simplification packages presented by the Commission.

On the multi-annual financial framework, leaders had a first exchange of views on the next iteration of the European Union's long-term budget. The Commission is expected to publish its proposal for the next MFF in July.

On migration, leaders took stock of developments and called for progress on areas such as the Commission's proposals on returns.

The European Council also welcomed the proposal for a European oceans pact, highlighting the importance of oceans and the blue economy. The pact was a focus of the European Maritime Day event held in Cork on 21 to 23 May and was formally launched yesterday in Nice by the President of the Commission, the President of the Council and European Ministers, including me.

On multilateralism, the European Council underlined our commitment to upholding the UN charter and remaining a predictable and credible partner in driving forward the UN80 initiative aimed at reform of the United Nations to reflect a changing world.

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