Skip to main content
Normal View

Foreign Conflicts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Questions (17, 19, 33)

Seán Crowe

Question:

17. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the current situation in Ukraine was discussed at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; the issues he highlighted; and if there will be any change in the EU’s approach to the volatile political situation in Ukraine. [8109/14]

View answer

Brendan Smith

Question:

19. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding the ongoing difficulties in the Ukraine; the strategy that has been adopted by the European Union in relation to the need to assist in the restoration of stability in that country; if he is satisfied that the EU's Eastern Partnership is a successful endeavour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8015/14]

View answer

Thomas Pringle

Question:

33. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his discussions at the recent meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels regarding the continuing unrest in Ukraine; the decisions made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8116/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19 and 33 together.

We had an extensive and wide-ranging discussion on the situation in Ukraine at the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 February, with High Representative Ashton reporting to Ministers on her latest round of meetings with President Yanukovych and the opposition in Kiev.

Following our discussion, the Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions in which we expressed alarm over the human rights situation, including violence, cases of missing persons, torture and intimidation and deplored the deaths and injuries sustained on all sides. The Council called on all actors to refrain from violence and dissociate themselves from radical actions. We recalled that demonstrations should be pursued by peaceful means.

The Council made clear that the authorities should take all necessary measures to respect and protect the fundamental rights of Ukrainian citizens and that the continuous targeting of organisers and participants of peaceful protesters as well as of journalists must be stopped immediately. We have urged the authorities to investigate all acts of violence in a transparent and impartial manner and bring the perpetrators to justice. The current atmosphere of impunity which allows for such acts to take place must be addressed.

While the Council welcomed recent steps, in particular the decision on 28 January by the Ukrainian Parliament to revoke the laws which unduly restricted the exercise of fundamental freedoms, we also indicated that further efforts are necessary to find a durable solution to the current political crisis. We have urged all sides to seek, though an inclusive dialogue, a democratic solution that would meet the aspirations of the Ukrainian people.

As the Conclusions state, the Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s reform course. While the details have yet to be worked out and agreed, the EU is ready to further pursue its efforts with the international community and international financial institutions to assist Ukraine, in line with well-established conditions, to find a sustainable way out of its difficult economic situation.

More generally, the EU has an important role to play in encouraging all sides to end the violence, engage in serious and inclusive dialogue and show willingness to compromise. As High Representative Ashton has already stressed, the EU will act as facilitator and not as a mediator. I want to take this opportunity to commend the High Representative for her tireless efforts on behalf of the EU and indeed the Ukrainian people.

I believe that the OSCE and Council of Europe also have potentially important roles to play in facilitating a negotiated way out of the crisis. Following his visit to Kiev, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights has found that excessive force was used against protesters by law enforcement officers and others working with them in recent months. I have put on record my own shock at the loss of life in Ukraine and that I have been appalled at reports of torture and other severe human rights abuses perpetrated by the security services. I strongly agree with the Commissioner that it is important to prevent any further violence and to ensure accountability for the serious human rights violations which have already occurred. The Foreign Affairs Council encouraged the Government of Ukraine to appoint without delay its member to the Council of Europe’s Advisory Panel which will investigate the violent incidents during the protests and which could be an effective mechanism in helping to defuse tensions.

Regarding the particular point raised by the Deputy regarding the Eastern Partnership, I would recall that its purpose is to support reforms in the countries of the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood and promote closer political association and economic integration with the EU. This is a long term project and in spite of many challenges, it is important to acknowledge the progress that has already been made in developing the Eastern Partnership. Both Georgia and Moldova will sign Association agreements with the EU later this year. The benefits of the Eastern Partnership are for all the countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood, however, including those which have not chosen, or do not fulfil the conditions, to conclude Association Agreements. The EU will be considering over the next few months how some of the benefits of the Eastern Partnership can be extended to these countries.

Top
Share