merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D., is meeting with other EU Foreign Ministers today (Saturday 7 September) for talks on Syria, Egypt and the Middle East Peace Process.

US Secretary of State John Kerry will also join the informal meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council in Lithuania this morning, where it’s expected he will brief the Ministers on the latest US position with regard to Syria following the conclusion of G20 talks in Russia.

Secretary Kerry will also give an update on the direct talks currently taking place between the Israelis and Palestinians and outline how best the EU can support these negotiations.

In advance of today’s meeting in Vilnius, the Tánaiste said:

“We must continue to focus on a political solution to the worsening crisis in Syria and concentrate our efforts on the humanitarian help which the people of Syria so desperately need”.

The two-day gathering (Friday and Saturday), chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, is also discussing the EU’s Eastern Partnership and the future of European Security and Defence.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

*To date, Ireland has provided almost € 11 million in humanitarian funding to provide food, water, shelter and protection to civilians displaced by the conflict in Syria.

*Further information on the meeting for media is available on the website of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU at http://www.eu2013.lt/en/events/political-meetings/informalmeetingsofministers/informal-meeting-of-ministers-for-foreign-affairs-gymnich