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Tánaiste to attend EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, Syria, Iran and nerve agent attack in UK

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney TD, is in Brussels today to attend a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the situation in Ukraine, as well as developments in Syria and in Iran. EU Foreign Ministers will also have an informal lunch with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

“Today’s meeting will provide an opportunity for the Council to discuss developments in Ukraine, as we mark the fourth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation.

Foreign Ministers will also discuss the situation in Syria with the UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. My colleagues and I will examine ways to revive the political process and prepare for the upcoming EU-hosted donors’ conference.

The discussion will then address recent developments in relation to Iran, especially regarding the nuclear agreement.

The lunch discussion with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea will be a good opportunity to discuss recent positive overtures from the DPRK. EU Foreign Ministers will explore ways to support efforts to further reduce tensions and support denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.

Ministers will also have the opportunity to discuss the recent nerve agent attack in Salisbury. Ireland fully supports the UK's efforts to ensure the perpetrators of this heinous crime can be held accountable. All EU Member States are in complete solidarity with the UK on this issue, which will be discussed at the European Council later this week.”