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EU Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Questions (167)

Brendan Smith

Question:

167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed report on the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4291/14]

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Written answers

I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council that took place in Brussels on 20 January. This was the first Council meeting of 2014 and there was a very busy agenda. 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/140673.pdf. The Council reviewed developments in relation to Syria and considered the prospects for the so-called “Geneva II” conference which began later that week in Montreux. Ministers voiced their continuing concern in relation to the ongoing conflict, the critical humanitarian situation inside Syria, and its impact on neighbouring countries - including Lebanon and Iraq. In my intervention, I reiterated Ireland’s support for the Geneva conference and welcomed the call in the Council Conclusions for a UN Security Council Resolution on the humanitarian situation, something for which Ireland has advocated for some time.

The constitutional referendum in Egypt and the prospective Presidential and legislative elections were also discussed, with particular reference to the conduct of the recent referendum. In relation to Iran, the Council took note of the most recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Noting that Iran had implemented the voluntary measures agreed within the framework of the Joint Plan of Action between Iran and the E3/EU+3, the Council agreed to suspend certain EU restrictive measures against Iran for a period of six months. Negotiations are to begin next month with a view to arriving at a comprehensive solution to the issues around Iran’s nuclear programme. I welcome these important advances.

The Council took stock of the latest developments on the Middle East Peace Process, in particular the ongoing direct talks between the parties. I joined with other Ministers in expressing full support for the talks, and for a comprehensive package of EU support in the context of a final, comprehensive peace agreement, while noting also the need for a continuing focus on critical issues on the ground. There followed a discussion on Afghanistan focusing on the strong commitment at EU level to continue to support the country in the period ahead. Council Conclusions were adopted endorsing the EU’s priorities for engagement with Afghanistan post-2014.

Over lunch, Ministers had the opportunity to review EU-Russia relations in preparation for the EU-Russia Summit (28 January). There was a free-flowing exchange on the status of the EU’s relationship with Russia, notably in the context of the Eastern Partnership process. Council Conclusions on Ukraine were agreed, underlining the EU’s concern about recent developments and emphasising the EU’s commitment to Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the Union, based on respect for common values.

The alarming reports of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and of human rights abuses in the Central African Republic remain a cause of deep concern. During our discussions on this issue, there was general consensus on the need for the international community to step up its response to the crisis. To this end, Ministers gave their political approval for a possible EU military operation aimed at providing a safe and secure environment in the Bangui area, in support of the African Union and taking account of UN Security Council resolution 2127. We also welcomed discussions in other fora notably at the UN Security Council and at the High-Level Meeting on Humanitarian Action which took place in Brussels that same day and secured pledges of €366 million. Finally, there was a brief discussion on the political and humanitarian situation in South Sudan and Council Conclusions were adopted.

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