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The Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton T.D., is attending today’s meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

Items for discussion include Belarus, Ukraine and the Southern Neighbourhood Policy. The meeting will also follow up on the recent Eastern Partnership Summit in Poland, attended by the Taoiseach. The Minister will attend a lunch with High Representative Catherine Ashton to discuss the Middle East Peace Process. A discussion on Iran will follow.

Minister Creighton will be raising the situation in Bahrain, urging her EU colleagues to maintain international pressure on the Bahraini authorities in order to ensure that progress is made towards launching a meaningful national dialogue and process of reform in that country.

Speaking in Luxembourg Minister Creighton said:

“I am delighted to have the chance to discuss these issues with my colleagues today. There has been remarkable change in many parts of the world over the past 18 months and it is vital that the EU works to support that change through a sensible and co-ordinated approach. That is the message I will bring to this meeting on behalf of the Government.”

Minister Creighton will attend the General Affairs Council tomorrow. The GAC meeting will prepare for next week’s European Council.