Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on her recent meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers in Brussels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66681/25]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on her attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 20 November 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66278/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 38 together.

I attended my first Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on 20 November in Brussels.

The wide-ranging agenda focused on Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the Sahel and Sudan. We also met with ASEAN Foreign Ministers over lunch.

We were briefed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who provided an update on the current situation in Ukraine at this critical time. Member States reiterated their commitment to continuing political, financial and military support for Ukraine in the face of continuing Russian aggression. Tackling Russia’s Shadow Fleet was a major focus, with clear support from Member States for additional measures in this area. I took the opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s steadfast solidarity and support for Ukraine, our support for further sanctions on Russia, as well as our strong support for Ukraine’s EU accession.

On the Middle East, I expressed Ireland’s readiness to contribute towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the implementation of the two-State solution. I stressed that the immediate priority must be to ensure that sufficient humanitarian aid enters Gaza, and expressed deep concern at the disturbing situation in the West Bank. During the meeting, Member States supported the HR/VP’s proposal to reinforce the mandates of the two civilians CSDP missions, EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS. There was also agreement to enhance EU coordination in efforts to support implementation of the peace agreement, the necessity to continue efforts to empower the Palestinian Authority, and to continue contacts with both Israel and the US.

Over lunch, we met with 11 Foreign Ministers of ASEAN where we discussed the benefits of greater EU-ASEAN economic cooperation.

The Council also discussed the situation in Sudan, following a request by Ireland and other Member States for a discussion on this devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis. Member States issued a statement calling on all parties to the conflict to resume negotiations to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Restrictive measures against the deputy leader of the RSF were also adopted. On the Sahel, Member States welcomed the EU’s Renewed Approach to the region and underlined the importance of continued engagement.

There was a brief exchange under current affairs on a number of issues including the upcoming Ministerial meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean.

Following the FAC, I attended the first meeting of the Palestine Donor Group. The meeting was co-chaired by the European Commission and the Palestinian Authority, where we had an opportunity to focus on important issues such as the fiscal stability of the Palestinian Authority and the economic recovery of the West Bank, progress on the Palestinian Authority reform agenda, as well as the latest developments in Gaza. In the margins of this meeting I had the opportunity for a brief exchange with the Prime Minister of Palestine.