Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1228. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals put forward at recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings in relation to the need for a lifting of the blockade on Gaza and a full return to peace negotiations with the aim of establishing a two state solution based on pre-1967 borders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34842/14]
View answerRecent Foreign Affairs Council discussions on the Middle East have been focussed on the concurrent crises in Iraq and Gaza. In relation to Gaza, the Council principally emphasised, as did Ireland nationally, the urgent need to end the fighting and restore the ceasefire, so as to bring an end to the dreadful violence being suffered by the population. However the Council also emphasised, in Conclusions on both 22 July and 15 August, that a return to the status quo ante in Gaza was unacceptable, and that there had to be a process leading to the lifting of the closure restrictions, and an improvement in the living conditions of the people in Gaza. Ireland has long advocated at EU level for greater concerted international efforts to bring about an end to the unjust blockade of Gaza.
The Egyptian Government is seeking to further develop the understandings with both Israel and Hamas which led to the renewed ceasefire on 26 August last, with a view to beginning a process in which the closure would be substantially relaxed. The prospects for these discussions, and the engagement of each side to find a different way forward, have yet to become clear.
The EU has also offered any help it can to bring about fundamental improvement to the current situation and conditions in Gaza, including the possible reactivation of the EU’s border assistance mission at Rafah, and measures to assist the Palestinian Authority in re-establishing its presence as a governing authority in Gaza. The Council will continue to consider options in this regard.
In relation to the broader peace process, Ireland has argued in recent months that following the indefinite ending of the US-facilitated direct negotiations process in April, the EU needs to begin a reflection on its overall policy in relation to seeking a two state solution to the conflict. Notwithstanding the focus on Gaza, and indeed recognising that Gaza is an integral element of the overall problem, Ireland and other member States successfully pressed for the July Council Conclusions to include also a substantive re-iteration of the basic principles and parameters on which a comprehensive solution to the conflict must be based. I will be looking for forthcoming Council meetings to consider further the options open to the EU in support of these objectives.
