Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013
68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of 16 December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54991/13]
View answerI attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 16 December.This was the final scheduled Council meeting of the year. We had a full agenda addressing a wide range of issues. Conclusions were agreed across a number of key policy areas; the full text of these Conclusions may be accessed on the official EU website http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/EN/foraff/140119.pdf. In opening the Council meeting, High Representative (HR) Ashton briefed Ministers on the recent round of talks with Iran which she led in Geneva on 20-24 November, at which an interim agreement was reached on the difficult nuclear dossier. I took the opportunity to praise the efforts of HR Ashton in leading the negotiations within the framework of the E3 +3 (UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the US). The agreement represents an important achievement, which opens up a real possibility of resolving this long running and dangerous issue. Many challenges lie ahead in terms of implementing what was agreed, and translating it into a final agreement, but we welcome this important first step. Short Conclusions were adopted.
A major focus of discussions at the Council meeting was the outcome of the recent Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on 28-29 November, and in particular the decision by Ukraine not to proceed with signature of an Association Agreement with the European Union. HR Ashton reported back to Ministers on her recent visit to Kiev and condemned the use of violence against peaceful protesters. We expressed our disappointment and deep concern about developments in Ukraine. We agreed that the door remains open to Ukraine to sign the Association Agreement, together with a Deep and Comprehensive Free trade Agreement, but that the decision is one for Ukraine to make.
The Council also considered EU relations with Russia, in light of the Eastern Partnership Summit and in advance of the EU-Russia Summit at the end of January. Ministers were joined at lunch by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, which provided an opportunity for a frank exchange of views. There are a number of areas on which we co-operate constructively with Russia, most recently in the context of the Iranian nuclear dossier, and efforts to destroy chemical weapons in Syria. However, concern was also expressed by Ministers over the pressure from Russia which seems to have led to Ukraine’s decision to suspend the Association Agreement process with the EU. In my remarks, I also highlighted concerns relating to the human rights situation in Russia, and in particular the recent LGBTI-related legislation. The forthcoming EU-Russia Summit will provide a further opportunity to discuss these issues.
The dramatic deterioration of the situation in the Central African Republic was also addressed by Ministers. Conclusions were adopted which emphasised the need to address the humanitarian situation and to support efforts to stabilise the situation. Ireland, along with other Member States, is increasingly troubled by reports of humanitarian suffering and of gross human rights abuses in the Central African Republic. In my intervention, I welcomed the leadership role being taken by the African Union force (MISCA) and France to date. However, we continue to believe that a UN-led response remains the best mechanism to address the crisis and restore law and order in the country.
Ministers considered the latest developments in Syria, including prospects for the Geneva II conference in January, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis which is affecting not only Syria but also neighbouring countries. In particular we discussed Lebanon which has been severely impacted. Council Conclusions were adopted, which acknowledge the important role that Lebanon has played in welcoming refugees from Syria, and reiterate the EU’s willingness to provide support to the country.
There was a short discussion on the Middle East Peace Process. Council Conclusions were adopted which express support for both sides in their efforts to arrive at a negotiated solution, and confirm EU readiness to contribute substantially to post-conflict arrangements for ensuring the sustainability of a peace agreement. We expect to revisit this issue early in 2014.
Finally, the Council had a brief review of developments in the Western Balkans region and in Myanmar/Burma. Short Council Conclusions were adopted.
