Michael Moynihan
Question:86. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the issues that were discussed at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council. [13502/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
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Since I last updated on my engagements at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, two meetings have taken place. I attended a meeting on 20 February, and Minister of State Peter Burke participated in a joint meeting of EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers, yesterday in Brussels.
The meetings addressed a number of important issues, including the war in Ukraine, Iran, Moldova, Afghanistan, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, Georgia, Tunisia, and preparations for COP 28. We took a number of decisions in relation to these issues.
The Ukrainian and Moldovan Foreign Ministers debriefed the Council meetings on their needs, one year on from the full-scale Russian invasion, and the EU adopted a number of important decisions on our multidimensional support for the two countries. This included agreement on a tenth package of sanctions against Russia, including further export bans worth more than €11 billion. We also agreed on continued coordination of our work on ensuring accountability for war crimes. Continued EU support will be further discussed at the European Council later this week.
In February, the Council discussed the Iranian government’s repression of protestors, and transfer of weaponry to Russia, and responded by adopting a fifth and sixth package of targeted sanctions. We also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and met virtually with the UN Deputy Secretary General, who recently visited Kabul. We agreed on an approach in relation to EU engagement in Afghanistan, with an emphasis on the provision of life-saving humanitarian assistance and basic needs support, with certain conditions attached.
At yesterday’s meeting, the worsening situation in Israel and Palestine was discussed. Ireland called for the EU to intensify engagement to prevent further escalation. I was pleased that all EU Member States issued a joint statement on 8 March, which stated that Israel must stop settlement expansion and prevent settler violence.