Minister Flanagan meets EU Foreign Ministers to discuss Ebola, the Middle East and Ukraine
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, is meeting EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg today to discuss the EU’s response to Ebola, the Middle East and Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Minister Flanagan said:
“I will be meeting fellow EU Foreign Ministers to discuss further EU action and closer cooperation to tackle the deadly ebola virus and address the devastating impact it is having on communities, particularly in West Africa.
"Ireland is one of the few Member States with an embassy in Sierra Leone and I will be inputting the views of our Ambassador regarding the situation on the ground in Sierra Leone and the experience of Minister of State Sherlock, who recently visited the region.
“Ireland will continue to work closely with our EU partners as well as through the UN system to ensure a more coordinated and robust response at international level.
“Through Irish Aid, the Government has provided over €16 million in support to Sierra Leone and Liberia to strengthen health systems and fight ebola. We are keeping in close contact with Irish aid organisations active in the area.”
Ministers will also discuss the situation in Syria and Iraq. Minister Flanagan said:
“Our overall priority must be to bring the horrific Syrian conflict to an end. We cannot address the regional crisis and the growth of jihadist terrorism and the humanitarian catastrophe if the conflict in Syria is allowed to continue.”
“This conflict is a threat not just to the Middle East but to our security as well. We will be addressing all these points and working for a comprehensive regional policy which seeks to stabilise a fragile region and counter the threat of terrorism.”
On Ukraine the Minister said:
“I welcome the progress we have seen in Ukraine in recent months. I am encouraged that direct talks between the parties resulted in agreement last month on a ceasefire and a peace plan. We must build on this progress.
"The situation remains fragile, however, and it is crucial that all sides, including the Russian Federation, fully implement the commitments they have signed up to and that no effort is spared in working to bring about a negotiated end to this crisis.”