Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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97. 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. [28574/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 25 June, where Ministers discussed security and defence, the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and Jordan. We were also briefed on the situation in Yemen by the UN Special Envoy. My EU colleagues and I discussed ongoing work on security and defence issues, and took stock of progress on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy. Ireland continues to play an active role in shaping the Common Security and Defence Policy to equip the EU to act as an effective international peace provider in support of the UN. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, updated the Council on his efforts to prepare a framework for peace negotiations. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy and his team as they work towards a peace agreement.

Following this, the Council discussed developments in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region. I welcomed the resolve expressed by the EU to deepen its engagement in the region. I also debriefed the Council on my recent visit to Jordan and called on the EU to step up its efforts to support the resilience of that country.