Written answers

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

European Council Meetings

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the outcomes of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place in October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46263/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) which took place in Luxembourg on 21 October. As the Deputy will be aware, this was the first formal Council meeting of EU Foreign Ministers since late August. A wide range of issues were discussed and important Conclusions were agreed across a number of key policy areas; these Conclusions may be accessed on the official EU website .

In her opening remarks, High Representative (HR) Ashton gave Ministers a brief overview of recent developments in Iran (latest round of nuclear talks), the Western Balkans (update on the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue and on the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Maldives (elections).

The first item for substantive discussion was the Eastern Partnership, where Ministers took stock of preparations for the Summit in Vilnius later this month (28-29 November). This Summit will mark an important step forward in the Union’s relationship with its Eastern neighbours. There was broad support amongst partners for the initialling of Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova in Vilnius. In addition there was an exchange of views on the progress achieved to date by Ukraine to enable the signing of the Association Agreement at the Summit; this was also the subject of an informal ministerial level breakfast meeting between members of the Council and Ukraine which I attended immediately before the FAC. I joined with my EU counterparts in welcoming the advances made to date by Ukraine in implementing key reforms and underlined the importance of further progress towards achieving the benchmarks.

Under the Southern Neighbourhood agenda item, discussions focused on recent developments in Egypt, Syria and Libya; I will address each point separately.

On Egypt, HR Ashton updated Ministers on her recent visit to the region. The situation remains tense and many partners – myself included – highlighted concerns related to the security situation generally, the repression of the political opposition, the detention of political prisoners and the treatment of religious minorities. During my intervention, I specifically raised Ireland’s concern for the four Irish nationals who remain in detention in Egypt. While appreciating Egyptian security concerns in relation to the Sinai, I also expressed concern about the impact on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Conclusions were adopted on a report of the Court of Auditors concerning EU Cooperation with Egypt in the field of governance.

Ministers discussed developments in Libya with a focus on the security situation, related migration issues and the recent horrific drowning of some 500 people off the island of Lampedusa. Partners expressed sorrow for the tragic loss of life and we also conveyed our support for the rescue workers operating in extremely challenging circumstances.

Ministers reviewed developments in relation to Syria with particular reference to the OPCW chemical weapons disarmament process, the prospects for the ‘Geneva II’ talks and the ever-challenging humanitarian situation. While welcoming the encouraging progress made in recent weeks on the disarmament issue, the Council underlined the need to maintain the momentum behind the ‘Geneva II’ process and to prioritise the alleviation of the humanitarian suffering. I took the opportunity to echo these concerns in my intervention, voicing Ireland’s continuing support for Joint Special Representative Brahimi and informing partners of Ireland’s contribution of €200,000 to the OPCW disarmament efforts. The FAC adopted Conclusions which emphasised the need for a political solution to the crisis in Syria and for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all populations in need of assistance throughout the country. The EU is the largest international donor of assistance to the Syrian people and Ireland, for its part, has contributed a total of €13.8m to date.

Finally, Ministers also discussed recent developments in Myanmar/Burma. HR Ashton briefed us on the progress of the EU Taskforce and the preparations for her visit there this month. Over lunch, the FAC met with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Discussions focused on how the EU might best support democratic reforms in Myanmar/Burma. For my part, I emphasised in my remarks, Ireland’s commitment to step up assistance to Myanmar/Burma in the context of our new programme of support, the details of which I hope to finalise in the weeks ahead.

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