Written answers

Thursday, 13 June 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further meetings planned at EU Foreign Affairs Council level to discuss the ongoing and escalating conflict in Syria and the humanitarian crisis in that region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28567/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The conflict in Syria and the worsening humanitarian situation will figure prominently on the agenda of the next Foreign Affairs Council which I will attend in Luxembourg on 24 June. Recent diplomatic efforts, particularly the initiative of the US and Russia aimed at bringing both sides in Syria to a further peace conference in Geneva on the basis of the Geneva Communiqué of June 2012, will undoubtedly be central to our discussions. With preparations already underway under the guidance of SG Ban and Special Envoy Brahimi, the Council is likely to consider the degree of engagement on all sides with the US-Russia initiative and how the EU can help to ensure that this conference is successfully convened. The renewal of the EU’s sanctions against Syria, including the arms embargo, was extensively discussed at the last Foreign Affairs Council which I attended in Brussels on 27 May. While I regret that the Council was unable to agree to renew the EU arms embargo against Syria, it was noted in the Council Declaration which accompanied the Decision on renewal of the rest of the sanctions package that no member State intending to do so will proceed at this stage with the delivery of arms to Syria. It was agreed that the Council will review its position before 1 August, on the basis of a report from the High Representative on developments related to the US-Russia initiative and on the engagement of the Syrian parties. Syria is likely to figure prominently on the agenda for the first FAC meeting of the Lithuanian Presidency in July.

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