Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Ireland’s recent participation on the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe meeting on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3693/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ukraine features regularly on the OSCE agenda. I understand the Deputy to be referring to the recent meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 13 January, the first under the Polish Chair-in-Office.

Working to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict in and around Ukraine is a priority of the Polish Chair and will remain high on the OSCE agenda. Ireland participated in the Permanent Council meeting of 13 January and our position was reflected in the EU statement on behalf of all EU member States, including Ireland.

The statement highlighted that Russia’s actions, including the illegal annexation of Crimea and its acts of aggression in eastern Ukraine, have led to a severe deterioration of the security situation in the OSCE area. It repeated that any further aggression against Ukraine will come with massive consequences and a high economic cost for Russia and called for a de-escalation of tensions.

The EU’s full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was reiterated as was the need for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine to be granted full, safe and unhindered access to the whole territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. The statement also indicated that the OSCE is the most appropriate platform for a meaningful dialogue in good faith on every aspect related to comprehensive security and expressed our readiness to contribute constructively.