Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the outcomes of the emergency Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place on 21 August 2013 regarding the situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37549/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Foreign Affairs Council met on 21 August 2013 in an extraordinary meeting called in response to the serious violence which had occurred during and following the forcible dispersion of demonstrations on 14 August, and subsequent political turmoil. The general view of the Council, which I supported, was that the EU needed to show clearly that the violence that had occurred was unacceptable, while making it clear that we remained ready and willing to assist Egypt in this difficult and anxious period. The Council adopted Conclusions which set out EU policies in response to recent events in Egypt. The Council stated clearly that the actions of the security forces were disproportionate; it condemned all acts of terrorism and violence; called for an end to violence and for the relaxation of exceptional security measures; urged all parties to engage in dialogue and reconciliation for the restoration of Egyptian democracy; called for the protection of fundamental freedoms for all Egyptians; and agreed to review EU assistance to Egypt. Member States agreed to suspend export licences for equipment which might be used for internal repression, reassess export licences and review security cooperation with Egypt; and reaffirmed the EU’s willingness to support efforts towards an inclusive political dialogue.