Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of discussions regarding Syria at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2289/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I discussed the situation in Syria and how the EU must strengthen its diplomacy to revive the UN-led negotiations with my EU colleagues. Ireland and its EU partners reaffirmed our support for the central role of the United Nations in working for a political transition and peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria. We discussed the question of strengthening the EU’s support for a negotiated solution, accountability for war crimes and considered the question of EU support for the post-conflict reconstruction of Syria.

I expressed Ireland’s full support for the efforts of the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, to build cooperation between the EU and the regional and international stakeholders on a way forward for Syria.

I stressed that the illegal denials of humanitarian access must end and welcomed the proposed Brussels conference later this year which will be co-hosted by the EU. This conference will take stock of humanitarian commitments since the London conference and will look at ways of supporting the UN-led political process.