Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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90. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update and discuss the outcomes of the most recent General Affairs Council that took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37412/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have previously replied to the Deputy in relation to the GAC held on Tuesday 25 June and no GAC has taken place since then, with that scheduled for Tuesday 23 July having been cancelled. The next GAC is scheduled to take place on Monday 30th September.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the parameters of the discussions held with ministerial colleagues at the informal meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs - Gymnich - in Vilnius, Lithuania on 6 and 7 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37415/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I attended the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius (known as the “Gymnich”) on 6-7 September. As this was an informal meeting, there are no council conclusions or formal decisions taken. However, we had some useful discussions on current foreign policy issues, not least the ongoing crisis in Syria. We began with a discussion on Security and Defence issues, which will be considered by the European Council in December. This followed a discussion by Defence Ministers the previous day. Ireland is engaging in these discussions at both official and ministerial level, which are focused on efforts to strengthen EU capabilities to improve the effectiveness, visibility and impact of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. We then went on to consider preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit which will take place in Vilnius on 28-29 November, and which will review progress by the six partner countries (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Belarus) in the reforms necessary for the conclusion of Association Agreements with the EU. The EU will continue to do all it can to support these countries in the reform process in the lead up to and following the Summit meeting.

We had detailed discussions on Syria , in light of clear indications of the large-scale use of chemical weapons on 21 August. EU Foreign Ministers agreed that the chemical weapons attack in Damascus represents an unacceptable violation of international law and that every effort should be made to prevent further recourse to such weapons; that the United Nations is the appropriate and legitimate forum for addressing these issues; that the Security Council must unite to agree a resolution; that there equally must be accountability for the perpetrators of this atrocity; and that only a political solution can ultimately bring peace to Syria. The EU also undertook to continue its strong support and leading role in international humanitarian relief efforts to assist Syria.

We were joined by US Secretary of State John Kerry for our discussions on Syria and on the Middle East Peace Process . In relation to the latter, Secretary of State Kerry updated EU Foreign Ministers on his successful efforts to re-launch peace negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, and on progress in relation to those talks. I and my EU colleagues, for our part, committed to doing all we can to support the process.

The statement by the EU High Representative following the Gymnich meeting can be accessed at the below link:

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