Written answers

Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

European Council Meetings

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the matters that were discussed under specific foreign policy issues at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; if Iran and Israel and Palestine were included in the discussions. [26560/19]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee TD, attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 17 June. The agenda covered the EU Global Strategy, CFSP Effectiveness and Sudan.

Ministers discussed the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, three years following its launch, and in light of High Representative Mogherini’s Assessment Report on the progress made. Ireland looks forward to advancing all five strands of the Strategy.

The FAC also examined the effectiveness of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Ministers discussed ways in which the EU can ensure greater unity, coherence and consistency in its external action, to allow us to respond to future foreign and security challenges in a more flexible and strategic way.

On Sudan, the Council condemned the use of violence against civilians and reiterated support to the African Union. The priority for Sudan is to find a swift consensus that allows the transfer of power to a civilian-led authority.

Foreign Ministers also discussed regional issues with the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, including the Middle East Peace Process, the Gulf, Iran and Syria. Ireland and our EU partners recognise and greatly appreciate the stabilising role that Jordan plays in the Middle East region.

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