merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, T.D., participated in a videoconference of EU Foreign Ministers this afternoon. During the meeting, the Tánaiste and his counterparts discussed the EU’s response to COVID-19, the situation in Libya and the EU’s approach to Ukraine and the Eastern Partnership, particularly in the context of the pandemic.

After the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

In discussions with my EU counterparts, l underlined the role Ireland is playing in EU repatriation efforts. We have chartered two special repatriation flights from Peru and India in March and April and hope to plan further charters to assist EU citizens to return home. Ireland also appreciates the assistance provided to Irish citizens by other EU Member States. This is an example of EU solidarity at its best in times of crisis.

During the VC, Foreign Ministers considered Ukraine’s reform programme and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, in light of COVID-19. Foreign Ministers urged Ukraine to maintain momentum on reform and cautioned against any backsliding.

Ministers also discussed the challenges for the Eastern Partnership in the context of the pandemic and how the EU can respond to these challenges.

The Tánaiste said:

The EU stands in solidarity with our Eastern Partners in responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19.  Ireland wholeheartedly welcomes the EU’s allocation of funding to Partners for their immediate healthcare needs and the use of existing financial instruments to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the crisis.

Note to Editors

1. The Eastern Partnership is the EU’s joint initiative with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, which aims to build a common area of shared democracy, prosperity, stability and increased cooperation.