merrion street

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., is in Brussels today to attend a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. In advance of the Foreign Affairs Council, he will attend an EU-Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting, marking the tenth anniversary of the EU’s partnership with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.  At the FAC, Ministers will discuss current affairs, Libya and the Sahel.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

“Ministers will discuss the ongoing conflict in Libya, and receive an update from UN Special Representative Ghassan Salamé on the current military escalation. The EU is united in its call on all Libyan parties to immediately cease military operations, and to respect their obligations under international law. We strongly urge all parties to engage in good faith with the UN-led process for an inclusive political settlement.

We will also have a discussion on the Sahel in the context of the deteriorating security situation in the region.  Ireland supports the priority given by the EU to security and development issues across the region.  We are working with partners in the region to put in place a comprehensive approach, strengthening their capacity to combat terrorism and organised crime, and addressing underlying challenges through investment in poverty reduction, governance, and human rights protection.”