Neale Richmond
Ceist:819. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his meeting with Sweden’s Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 June 2022
Ceisteanna (819)
Freagraí scríofa
On 7 June 2022 I visited Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. While in Stockholm, I met with Ms Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
During our meeting we discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe, Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council, the Northern Ireland Protocol and Sweden’s upcoming Presidency of the European Union.
Ireland and Sweden are like-minded and partnership-orientated EU member states. This was an important opportunity to meet bilaterally, to complement our regular meetings in EU formats and ensure a full understanding of perspectives and dynamics across the EU in terms of our collective response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss and highlight Ireland’s continuing solidarity and support for Ukraine. Our focus remains on responding to the impacts of the conflict, in particular through efforts to ease the plight of the Ukrainian people and to promote full accountability. I also discussed with Minister Linde Ireland’s position in favour of the strongest possible sanctions against Russia, and our support for Ukraine’s application to join the European Union.
The visit also came following the application of Sweden to join NATO, made alongside Finland on 18 May 2022. This application is indicative of the significance of the challenge to the European security order following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. As I made clear, it is the right of every sovereign and independent State to choose their own foreign policy and to ensure the security and defence of their territories.
During the meeting I had the opportunity to discuss in more detail the EU-UK relationship and the current situation in respect of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland; our support for the Commission in continuing to seek dialogue with the UK and we encourage the UK to respond with a similar approach. I welcomed Sweden’s solid and ongoing support for the EU position and the negotiating approach by the Commission.
The visit to Stockholm was an opportunity to re-iterate my welcome for the decision by the Swedish government to re-open its Embassy in Dublin later this year. This will undoubtedly further strengthen the warm bilateral relationship in the years ahead., particularly as we work on implementing Ireland’s Nordic Strategy.
While in Stockholm I also met with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament (Riksdag), Kenneth Forslund and Hans Wallmark, Foreign Affairs Spokesman for the opposition Moderate party.