I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 October where developments in relation to Syria represented one of the major items for discussion, with particular focus on the OPCW chemical weapons disarmament process, the prospects for the ‘Geneva II’ talks and the ever-challenging humanitarian situation. The FAC adopted Conclusions which, while welcoming the encouraging progress made in recent weeks on the disarmament issue, underlined the need to maintain the momentum behind the ‘Geneva II’ process and emphasised the overall need for a political solution to the crisis in Syria. The Council made clear that it welcomed the call of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the Geneva II Conference to be held before the end of November and reiterated that the objective of the Conference must be the swift establishment, by mutual consent, of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and control of all governmental and all security institutions. Discussions are due to continue in Geneva this week aimed at agreeing specific dates for the Conference as well as details of who will be invited.
The Council, in its Conclusions, also prioritised the alleviation of the humanitarian suffering and called for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all populations in need of assistance throughout the country. The EU is the largest international donor of assistance to the Syrian people and Ireland, for its part, has contributed a total of €13.8m to date.
In my intervention, I voiced Ireland’s continuing full support for Joint Special Representative Brahimi and his efforts to convene the Geneva II conference as well as informing partners of Ireland’s contribution of €200,000 to the OPCW disarmament efforts.
In recognition of the immense burden placed upon, and risks to, neighbouring countries, the Council emphasised the absolute and urgent necessity for all donor countries to ensure the fulfilment of pledges already made. The urgent necessity for all donor countries to continue to provide financial support to enable host countries to respond to the growing humanitarian needs of refugees was also emphasised. I took the opportunity to call for greater efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and, in particular, the need for access across borders. The conflict in Syria will remain a major priority for Ireland at all levels of our international engagement.