Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

455. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49068/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

456. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding the crises in Iraq and Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49069/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.

Minister of State Murphy attended the recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

The discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council was focussed on the situation in Syria, Iraq and the threat from ISIL. Ministers agreed on Council conclusions on Syria and discussed the preparation of an EU comprehensive regional strategy. Ministers also exchanged views on the crisis in Syria with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. The EU is fully committed to support his efforts to achieve a strategic de-escalation of violence as a basis for a broader political process. The EU stands ready to concretely support the development of his proposal to build on local freezes of hostility in Aleppo and elsewhere. Ireland reiterated the need to prioritise the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region and to work for the constructive engagement of regional and international stakeholders in efforts to renew the political process for ending the Syrian conflict.

Ministers also exchanged views on possible EU actions to support the ongoing reform efforts by the Al-Abadi Government in Iraq, in particular its proposals for national decentralisation and inclusivity and a possible EU role in supporting Iraqi police reform measures.

The Council also agreed a declaration on Libya which reaffirmed the EU’s support for the UN-led Ghadames talks process on Libya’s national future. The EU called on all parties in Libya to participate in this process and urged regional partners to support these efforts. The EU condemned terrorism in Libya and violence against civilians, and urged the UN Security Council to take appropriate action against those obstructing national dialogue.