Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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77. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meetings at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels; and if he will report on the discussions that took place on disinformation. [4130/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 January EU Ministers discussed various matters. Under the Current Affairs agenda item there was discussion on developments in DRC, Venezuela, Syria, Yemen and Nicaragua.

Ministers discussed the EU-ASEAN relationship ahead of the EU-ASEAN Ministerial meeting later that day. Member States focused on the importance of elevating EU-ASEAN relations to a Strategic Partnership and promoting the EU’s approach to connectivity in ASEAN countries.

Ministers also had an exchange of views on the EU's relations with the League of Arab States in preparation for the EU – League of Arab States Ministerial meeting planned for 4 February.

The main focus of discussion at the Council was disinformation.  Ministers welcomed the EU Action Plan against disinformation and many emphasised the importance of focussing on its implementation, especially given the proximity of next May’s European Parliament elections. Several Ministers highlighted the threat from Russia, but other actors were noted also. Some Ministers called for greater EU cooperation with other bodies e.g. the G7, and the importance of civil society was emphasised. There was also strong support for the work of the three EEAS Strategic Communications Task Forces which are working to identify, expose and counter disinformation. The EU will continue to work closely with online platforms, as well as to check the transparency of funding of political advertising, while at all times respecting freedom of expression.

On the margins of the Council I had separate bilateral meetings with Michel Barnier and UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in relation to Brexit.