Published on
Tánaiste Simon Coveney attends EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Gaza, Iran, Venezuela, DRC and the EU’s partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney, is in Brussels today to attend a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. The EU Foreign Affairs Council will discuss Gaza, Iran, Venezuela, DRC and the EU’s partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
Speaking in advance of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:
“At my request, EU Foreign Ministers will today discuss the recent troubling events in Gaza. I am deeply concerned about the force used against protesters, and I will discuss with my fellow Ministers how we might work towards breaking the cycle of violence and improving conditions for people living in Gaza. I will be travelling to the region next week, including to Israel and Palestine, where I intend to raise these issues.
"Today will also be an opportunity for EU Ministers to discuss the Iran nuclear agreement. Ireland and the EU will continue to fully support the JCPOA as long as Iran abides by its commitments, which it is doing. The European Union and the United States share many core values, but there are sometimes issues on which we have different views, and this is one such issue. We must work in a spirit of cooperation with our American partners to find a workable solution to the current situation.
"Ministers will also discuss the upcoming negotiations between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, known as the Post-Cotonou Agreement. This agreement has the potential to re-energise our political, economic and development cooperation relationships.”