Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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527. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at recent European Union Foreign Affairs Council meetings in relation to the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46199/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have made clear in the House my view that the peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued political vacuum.

The Foreign Affairs Council in July adopted Conclusions on the Middle East Process, focusing in particular on the need to defend the viability of the two state solution.

The MEPP discussion at the November Council was a stocktaking of the violence which had broken out in the region, and the recent publication of EU advice on place of origin marking on settlement products.

The intended MEPP discussion at the December Foreign Affairs Council was postponed due to the pressure of other issues, and at present it is inscribed on the agenda for the January Council.