merrion street

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, is in Luxembourg today to attend a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. Ministers will discuss Libya, external aspects of Migration, the Central African Republic and Venezuela.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

Ministers will have an exchange of views on the situation in Libya. It is important that the EU continues to engage, under the umbrella of the UN, to assist Libya in completing its political transition and unifying its national institutions. Ireland fully supports the UN Special Representative in his efforts towards a political solution which is Libyan-owned and led.

We will then have a discussion on the situation in the Central African Republic. Ireland is extremely concerned by the increased violence, increasing displacement and restrictions on humanitarian access in that country. Since 2012, we have provided over €30 million in humanitarian assistance to those in need in CAR.

My EU colleagues and I will also discuss external aspects of migration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Director General for the International Organisation for Migration. Ireland has pledged support of €15 million to the EU Trust Fund for Africa, which aims to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and ensure safer migration management in partner countries.

Finally, we will address the situation in Venezuela. The EU is united in its concern at the deteriorating political, economic and humanitarian situation there, and we are fully supportive of regional efforts to address the migration crisis.