Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
67. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting at the EU Foreign Minister's meeting in Luxembourg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20588/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20577/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 81 together.
Discussions at EU level on foreign policy issues continue to be focused on the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine, but the most recent Council also offered an important opportunity to address the situation in Sudan.
The Union continues to face a grave security threat from Russia, and its escalation of war against Ukraine has necessitated intensive discussion at EU level. We have taken important but complex decisions to advance Ukrainian EU accession, establish new predictable and sustainable financing mechanisms, and implement new sanctions.
It is apparent that Ukraine’s most urgent needs are for its defence, and this was the basis of the exchanges at the most recent FAC meeting in Luxembourg. Our discussion on Ukraine was held in an expanded format, of EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers, in order to reflect the need for coordinated approaches on this. We were briefed by the Ukrainian Foreign and Defence Ministers who provided profoundly concerning descriptions of Russia’s relentless attacks, in particular on critical infrastructure. I highlighted our own contributions to EU military assistance efforts, including to demining, and training by the EU Military Assistance Mission.
We also discussed the situation in the Middle East, where I underlined the need for the EU to act to implement the European Council’s call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and facilitation of humanitarian relief. In the wake of the publication of the Colonna report, I urged my fellow Ministers to release any suspended funding for UNRWA and I reiterated our request for the EU to carry out a review of whether Israel is complying with its obligations, including under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
During the Sudan discussion I highlighted our pledge of €12.3 million this year to Sudan, but underlined the vital nature of reaching a political solution, a civilian-led peace process and humanitarian access.
