Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 17 November. This FAC – the first chaired by the new High Representative Federica Mogherini – had a very busy agenda, with discussions on Ukraine, the Middle East, Ebola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Libya.

Ukraine was the first item to be addressed. Our discussions focused on the path to peace, the reform process and maintaining a firm EU response to the crisis. The situation in Ukraine remains extremely fragile and I am deeply concerned in particular by reports of the increased level of violence and troop and weaponry movements in Eastern Ukraine. During our discussions I reiterated the importance of the full implementation of the Minsk agreement, and the need for a sustainable political solution, based on the respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, with clear guarantees of border security, disarmament of all illegal groups and the withdrawal of foreign forces. I joined with my colleagues in supporting a new initiative by High Representative Mogherini to undertake outreach to the parties involved. This will complement the important contribution being made by the OSCE. I also joined with colleagues in welcoming the parliamentary elections which took place on 26 October in Ukraine, and in looking forward to the early formation of a new Government which can seize the mandate for reform given to it by the Ukrainian people. I believe that there is now a need and an opportunity for outreach, national dialogue and reconciliation. At the Council meeting I stressed the need for the new Government to implement an ambitious reform programme to build confidence among the people throughout Ukraine.

The question of an appropriate EU response to the deteriorating security situation in Eastern Ukraine and the illegal and illegitimate elections, which took place in Donetsk and Luhansk on 2 November, was also discussed. A decision was reached to prepare further sanctions against separatists by the end of November. Council conclusions on Ukraine were adopted.

The Council then exchanged views on latest developments in the Middle East Peace Process and received a report from the High Representative on her recent visit to the region. I had advocated such a visit and welcome it as a sign of the continued priority which the EU accords this issue. The growing violence by both sides in East Jerusalem and the West Bank is of great concern, and shows us that continued political failure will leave a vacuum which more militant or despairing voices will fill. Gaza has just highlighted the perils of allowing an unsustainable situation to simply drift on. I believe that the EU must become more actively engaged in the efforts to re-launch the peace process, and in confronting the increasingly serious threats to securing a viable, negotiated two-State solution. I am confident that High Representative Mogherini will embrace a more active role for the EU so that we can play our part in bringing about a comprehensive peace settlement. At our meeting Foreign Minister Wallstrom also took the opportunity to brief the Council on Sweden’s recognition of Palestine. Council conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process were adopted.

The Council was then briefed by EU Ebola coordinator Christos Stylianides on his priorities and on the findings of his mission together with Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis to the affected countries in West Africa. With the EU and its Member States having together pledged €1 billion in funding, the EU is the prime donor amongst the international community in addressing Ebola. Ireland continues to work closely with EU partners as well as through the UN system to ensure a coordinated and robust response to this crisis. On the ground in West Africa, Ireland is working to combat the spread of Ebola, providing support of over €17 million to the affected countries. Three members of the Irish Defence Forces will also be deployed to Sierra Leone to reinforce Ireland's Embassy in Freetown. The Council also discussed a proposal from Germany and France for the EU to establish a reserve pool of health experts which would allow for quick and targeted deployment in future health crises similar to the Ebola crisis. It was decided that this proposal could be considered at a future point following the current crisis. Council conclusions on Ebola were adopted.

The Council took stock of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the elections on 12 October. Ministers discussed ways and means to encourage reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European perspective for the country. Ireland has long been a strong supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU aspirations and we are supportive of proposals that might unblock the current stand still. It remains important however that there is no relaxation of the substantive conditions which are an integral part of the enlargement process.

The Council briefly discussed the current situation in Libya. I joined with my colleagues in expressing our full support for the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Bernardino Leon, to address the current crisis for the benefit of the people of Libya.

Finally the Council approved, without discussion, the Council Conclusions on CSDP which were formally adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) on 18 November.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised with his EU counterparts the need to recognise the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44679/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have addressed in replies to recent Questions and also outlined in some detail, when meeting the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade on 11 November, the Government’s position on the possible recognition of Palestine. Since Ireland has not yet decided to recognise Palestine, it would not be appropriate for us to suggest to EU partners that they need to do so.

At the recent Foreign Affairs Council which I attended on 17 November, Ministers did informally exchange views on the question of recognition, and Sweden in particular set out the thinking behind their own recent decision. Many partners, including Ireland, are open in principle to recognition as part of the search for a comprehensive peace in the region, and at a time when it would help achieve that objective. At this time no other partner has decided to follow Sweden’s example.

The Government remains committed to the earliest possible achievement of a sovereign Palestinian state as part of an agreed two-state solution to the conflict and all our policies are constructively designed to advance this goal.