Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers 23 June

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, will attend a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels on Monday 23 June.

Ministers will discuss the growing crisis in the Middle East, Russian aggression against Ukraine, engagement with China, and Georgia.

Ministers will be joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha, who will provide an update on the situation on the ground. Ministers will also discuss the EU response and support for Ukraine in light of recent developments.

On the Middle East, discussion will focus on the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Iran, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The discussion on China will help to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said: “I am deeply concerned by the very real risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation now in the Middle East following military action by the United States against Iranian nuclear facilities.

“Urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are crucial. This has been the focus of my engagement with EU partners and countries in the region since this current crisis began. The comment from the International Atomic Energy Agency is a reminder of the dangers facing the region. We need a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear programme. The EU has a role to play in charting a way forward.

“We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic. I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable.

“The EU has conducted its review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and I will be calling for swift and concrete actions in response. The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East."

On Ukraine, the Tánaiste continued: “I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.”

ENDS

Press Office

23 June 2023