Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 December 2013
42. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he proposes to raise at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting the ongoing crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52415/13]
View answerThe Syrian crisis is due to be discussed at the December Foreign Affairs Council. This will provide an opportunity for the Council to review recent developments, including the welcome announcement that the long-planned Geneva II peace conference is now scheduled to begin on 22 January. The Council discussion is also likely to focus on EU support for the ongoing destruction of Syrian chemical weapons overseen by the UN and OPCW as well as addressing the dire humanitarian crisis in Syria and neighbouring states. At last month’s Council, I emphasised the importance of more concerted action on the part of the international community to improve humanitarian access within Syria and remove the all too many obstacles which continue to exist to the provision of urgent assistance to the millions of Syrians in need within the country. I would again plan to raise this topic and support urgent consideration by the UN Security Council of a binding resolution on the humanitarian situation, to follow up on the Council’s Presidential statement of 2 October on this subject.
