Press release
Minister Carroll MacNeill to attend General Affairs Council in Brussels
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs & Defence, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, will represent Ireland at the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting taking place on 21 May 2024 in Brussels, Belgium.
On the margins of the Council, Minister Carroll MacNeill will also have a short meeting with the Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič, who has responsibility, inter alia, for the European Green Deal and EU-UK relations.
The Minister said: “I am looking forward to my discussions with Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič who has been a key partner and staunch friend of Ireland throughout the Brexit process.”
At the General Affairs Council meeting, Ministers will discuss the Draft Annotated Agenda for the June European Council which, as it stands, covers the issues of Ukraine; Security and Defence; Competitiveness; External Relations; and the Next Institutional Cycle. There will also be a discussion of the Rule of Law situation in four Member States (Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg) as well as consideration of the current Article 7 procedures against Poland.
Minister Carroll MacNeill will attend a lunch meeting of the Foresight Network of Ministers which will consider a Presidency discussion paper on “balancing the green agenda, competiveness and social well-being, from a strategic foresight perspective”. There will also be a number of AOB items, including an update by the Commission on EU-UK relations.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “I am looking forward to discussing with colleagues preparations for the June European Council. At that European Council, Ireland will be seeking to ensure that continuing strong messages of support to Ukraine are conveyed while we will also be raising the appalling situation in Gaza which continues to deteriorate.
“The Government remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation, which encompasses a man-made, conflict-induced famine and the complete absence of humanitarian infrastructure to provide the basics of life. Regardless of how the military situation evolves between now and the European Council, we will need to deliver a clear message on this as well as continuing to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian access.
“There will also be a strong focus at the Council on Rule of Law issues. This is welcome as Ireland continues to be a very strong supporter of the Rule of Law as a fundamental value of the EU.”