merrion street

This morning the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. He joined fellow EU Foreign Ministers in standing in solidarity in the minute's silence to remember the victims of the terrorist atrocity in Paris on Friday last. This was the first meeting of EU Ministers since the attacks.

Minister Flanagan stated:

"Today's Foreign Affairs Council is an important coming together of EU Foreign Ministers to demonstrate both our support and solidarity with our French colleagues, and our unity as a union of Member States in the face on this assault on our value system.

"We undertook a valuable discussion on migration and there was a clear view at the meeting that the issue of migration cannot and should not be conflated with the appalling acts of terrorism in Paris.

"My French colleague briefed Ministers. I conveyed the condolences and fellowship of the Irish people to him directly.

"Ministers also discussed the Middle East Peace Process.

"I am now travelling to Belfast where all-party Talks are at a critical point."