Press release
Minister Carroll MacNeill to attend Meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg, 15 October
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, will attend a meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg on Tuesday 15 October. Ministers will hold a discussion to prepare for the European Council on 17 and 18 October. This will focus primarily on the situation in the Middle East, in Ukraine, Competitiveness, and migration. Leaders will also discuss the unfolding situations in Georgia, Moldova, Sudan and Venezuela.
On the GAC agenda, Ministers will adopt a declaration on fostering Jewish Life and combatting antisemitism, as well as discuss the EU-Switzerland relationship and adopt the integrated country-specific recommendations for European Semester 2024. Under AOB items, the Ministers will briefly discuss the European Parliament elections, Georgia, and EU-UK relations.
Ahead of the meeting, Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“Ireland will continue to speak out about the horrifying situation in Gaza and the appalling situation in Lebanon, where we are deeply concerned about the launch of Israeli ground incursions as well as the continued aerial bombardment of densely populated areas. Ensuring that our peacekeepers with UNIFIL are fully protected is of critical importance. I will reiterate the need for de-escalation, an immediate ceasefire, and humanitarian assistance.
"At the European Council, leaders will discuss the current situation in Ukraine, and the necessity of continuing to send a clear message that the EU is committed to providing comprehensive and multifaceted support to our European neighbour as they defend their country against Russian aggression.
“Competitiveness is an important item on the upcoming European Council agenda. The Draghi report has arrived at a time of significant global change as economies are seeking to rapidly decarbonise and digitalise. Ireland supports the high level objective of refocusing the EU agenda on competitiveness, productivity and the complete on of the Single Market and the proposals on key sectors of interest to the Irish economy, including digital technologies and pharmaceuticals.
“As we prepare for the European Council, Ireland has proposed that leaders also discuss the catastrophic conflict in Sudan, which has caused violence and hunger on a vast scale. We will call on the Council to send a strong message to parties involved in the conflict to take urgent action to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access.
“I look forward to the adoption at the GAC of the declaration on fostering Jewish Life and combatting antisemitism, the government strongly welcomes this declaration which has arrived at a time when we have witnessed an unprecedented global rise in antisemitism.
“Commission Executive VP Maroš Šefčovič will also update Ministers on the state of EU-Swiss negotiations and on the meeting between European Commission President von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Starmer on 2 October. I will brief Ministers on the visit of British Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds to Dublin last week.”
ENDS
Press Office
15 October 2024