Tánaiste Simon Coveney attends EU Foreign Affairs Council
Press release
18 February 2019
Tánaiste Simon Coveney T.D. with Minister Zaharieva of Bulgaria, Minister Pejčinović Burić of Croatia, Minister Abela of Malta and Minister Lajčák of Slovakia
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., is in Brussels today to attend a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers.
Ministers will discuss Ukraine, Syria, the Horn of Africa and Venezuela.
Speaking before the meeting the Tánaiste stated:
“My EU colleagues and I will discuss the situation in Ukraine, marking the fifth anniversary of the Maidan. We will have an opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and to support and encourage Ukraine on its path of reform.
Ministers will address recent events in Syria. Ireland continues to support UN Special Envoy Pedersen and his efforts to bring about a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political solution to the conflict, and welcomes the upcoming Brussels III Syria Conference which will take stock of the humanitarian and political situation.
Following this we will look at establishing ways to increase EU engagement with the Horn of Africa. We are committed to ensuring stability in this geostrategic region and will continue to intensify our engagement.
Finally we will have an exchange of views on Venezuela and the deteriorating political, economic and humanitarian situation there. My colleagues and I reiterate our calls for fresh, credible presidential elections in accordance with international democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order."
ENDS
Press Office
17 February 2019
