Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the issues discussed at the most recent European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19663/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 22 April.

In her opening remarks, High Representative Ashton provided an update on the latest round of the Serbia/Kosovo dialogue which took place on 17-18 April. She welcomed the agreement reached between the two parties on a number of outstanding issues which – it is hoped – will facilitate the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina and which goes a long way towards fulfilling the conditions for progress on their respective European paths. The High Representative also updated Ministers on the latest round of the E3+3 talks on Iran, held in Almaty on 5-6 April, and gave a brief overview of recent developments in DPRK. In addition, she referred briefly to the situation in Mali, noting the progress made with regard to the EU training mission (EUTM Mali) which has been up and running since 2 April and in which eight members of the Defence Forces are participating. The Council adopted comprehensive conclusions on Mali which, inter alia, welcomed the Malian Government’s commitment to implementing the "roadmap" for the transition and organising free, credible and transparent elections in July.

Under the Southern Neighbourhood heading, the Council had a comprehensive exchange of views on the situation in Syria. I and other colleagues reiterated the urgent need to arrive at a political settlement to the two-year old crisis and expressed our full support for Special Envoy Brahimi in his efforts to promote this. The Council agreed to ease certain EU sanctions against Syria including the oil embargo, with a view both to helping the civilian population and supporting the opposition. Ministers also briefly discussed the difficulties faced by neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan in the context of the ongoing crisis in Syria and its humanitarian consequences. In my own intervention I highlighted the predicament of the rapidly growing Syrian refugee population and mentioned in this regard my visit to a Syrian refugee camp during my recent visit to Turkey. High Representative Ashton also gave a short debriefing on a visit she paid recently to Egypt, where growing political and social tensions are a source of serious concern.

Under the Eastern Partnership heading, the Council took stock of preparations for an Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting which is scheduled for Brussels in July and which will prepare the ground for the Eastern Partnership Summit in November in Vilnius.

Finally, the Council discussed Myanmar/Burma. Ministers welcomed the advances being made so far towards democracy and congratulated the Government on this progress. In recognition of reforms already implemented, the Council agreed to lift all sanctions against Myanmar/Burma with the exception of the arms embargo, which has been extended for one year. This decision is just one step in our developing relationship with Burma/Myanmar as it pursues democracy and reform. We recognise the significant challenges that remain, not least with regard to political prisoners, inter-communal violence and humanitarian access. Ireland and its EU partners stand ready to assist Myanmar/Burma as it continues with the efforts it is making towards political, economic and social transition.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any new initiatives were discussed at the most recent European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting in relation to Syria, particularly in relation to humanitarian issues in that region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19664/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Syria was the major issue discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on 22 April, which I attended. The focus was on the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country and on what further steps the EU can take to support the ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict and mitigate its impact on the civilian population. These objectives remain central to the mission of the UN/Arab League Joint Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi who made clear, when he briefed the UN Security Council on 19 April, that the choice faced by Syria is either a destructive fight to the finish or a negotiated political resolution.

The Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April reiterated its full support for Mr. Brahimi's efforts as well as for the initiative taken by the former President of the National Syrian Coalition, Dr Al Khatib, to bring about political dialogue among all Syrians leading to a peaceful transition.

EU sanctions are essential in maintaining strong pressure on the Syrian authorities so as to persuade them to stop their campaign of repression and brutality against the Syrian people. Over recent weeks, including at the informal Ministerial meeting I co-hosted with High Representative Ashton in Dublin on 22/23 March, the Council has been discussing these sanctions in detail. Consideration has also been given to other, non-military ways in which the secular and moderate opposition can be supported and much needed relief and basic services provided to the population. In this regard, I welcome the decision by the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April to ease a series of economic restrictive measures, notably in the oil sector, so as to allow for possible trade in this sector with areas now controlled by the Syrian National Coalition.

The humanitarian situation in Syria is reaching catastrophic levels, with the United Nations now estimating that 6.8 million people within Syria are in urgent need of assistance, 4.25 million of whom are displaced inside the country. The widespread and indiscriminate violence has also forced an additional 1.3 million people to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. After over two years of conflict, the coping mechanisms of those affected by the crisis are severely depleted and the ability of neighbouring countries to absorb further refugees is close to breaking point.

In this context, Ireland is making its voice heard. Earlier this month, I saw first-hand the terrible suffering being endured by people who are forced to flee the violence when I visited Syrian refugee camps in Turkey. My colleague, Minister of State Joe Costello, had previously visited refugee camps in Jordan last August. I briefed my colleagues on the Council this week on my impressions and, in discussion around the table, we voiced shared concerns about the overall humanitarian situation, including the issue of humanitarian access. I have insisted that aid organisations must be immediately granted safe and unimpeded access to those in need in all areas of Syria and that all parties to the conflict must also desist from attacking medical and educational facilities and personnel.

In line with the UN Security Council's call on 19 April, Ireland is also urging member States to fulfill pledges made at the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference in Kuwait in January without delay, as the current shortfall in funding severely undermines the humanitarian response. Ireland has already contributed some €8.15 million in emergency assistance in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

The conflict in Syria will remain a major priority for us at all levels of our international engagement. We will use the influence available to us in our current EU Presidency role to support European and UN efforts and initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.