Press release
Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 16 December
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, will take part in a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels on Monday 16 December.
The agenda for the meeting, the first hosted by the new High Representative Kaja Kallas, includes a discussion on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, will join the meeting virtually. Ministers will also use the opportunity to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including Gaza and recent developments in Syria. Other items include Georgia, Belarus, the International Criminal Court, Armenia, the OECD, and the Western Balkans.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:
"This is the first meeting of EU Foreign Ministers to be chaired by the new High Representative and Vice President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas. I look forward to working with Kaja and wish her every success in this important role.
"The discussion on Ukraine comes at a crucial moment as Kyiv faces escalating Russian aggression on the battlefield and relentless and devastating attacks on its infrastructure. The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, is deplorable, cynical and brutal. I look forward to hearing from Foreign Minister Sybiha regarding the situation on the ground and how best the EU can continue its support for the Ukrainian people."
On the situation in the Middle East, the Tánaiste said:
“The situation in the Middle East remains deeply troubling. While the fall of the Assad regime is welcome, the situation in Syria remains volatile, fluid and difficult to predict. I will be supporting calls for a peaceful and orderly transition and a better future for all Syrians. The ceasefire in Lebanon is fragile and both sides need to keep their commitments. While these developments require our urgent attention, they cannot be allowed to distract from the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. I will be again calling for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza. We must also remain focused on the situation in the West Bank and on the need for a political pathway that can deliver lasting peace.”