Press release
Minister Coveney attends FAC meeting in Brussels to meet with Ukrainian and Canadian FMs
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
On 16 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, will attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.
Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine will again feature heavily across the agenda, with EU Foreign Ministers expected to assess the current state of play in the conflict as well as the next steps in the EU’s response. Ministers will also meet with the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Canada to discuss the situation.
Ministers will also discuss the EU’s relationship with the countries of the Western Balkans, and will meet with the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. EU Ministers are also expected to discuss Ethiopia and EU financial support to Palestine.
The Foreign Affairs Council will be preceded by a meeting of the EU-Canada Joint Ministerial Council, where discussions will include global issues, foreign policy priorities, peace and security.
Speaking ahead of the discussion on Russian aggression against Ukraine, Minister Coveney said:
"The EU remains united in its response to Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and morally reprehensible war against Ukraine. Our discussion with Foreign Ministers Kuleba and Joly is especially timely and provides a good opportunity to highlight how vital the co-operation between our countries, and with other partners, has been in the face of an increasingly complex situation.
"As this crisis continues to develop, we must keep building momentum in the global conversation around Ukraine. For our part, Ireland continues to use our voice in multilateral organisations to support Ukraine and to push back on Russian disinformation."
The Minister commented on Ethiopia:
"The ongoing crisis in Ethiopia continues to have a devastating impact on people across northern Ethiopia, in particular in Tigray. Today I will be drawing the attention of the Council to the importance of the EU taking a strong role in responding to the acute humanitarian crisis, and supporting unimpeded humanitarian access, which is a critical and urgent requirement."