Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, T.D., will attend a Video Conference of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on Thursday, 19 November. Ministers are expected to discuss a range of recent international developments, including US Presidential and Congressional elections, the recent ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh, the outbreak of conflict in Ethiopia and events in Varosha.
Ministers will also discuss how to strengthen the multilateral system and the EU’s engagement in multilateral organisations. Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riad Malki, will join the meeting for a discussion on the latest developments in the Middle East Peace Process.
Speaking before the meeting, Minister Coveney said:
“A close EU-US relationship is vital and in all our interests and Ireland is ready to play its part. The EU and Ireland are looking forward to working with the incoming Administration and on strengthening the EU–US relationship.
“The outbreak of conflict in Ethiopia and reports of atrocities and identity-based attacks are a matter of grave concern. Ireland has joined the call for all parties to cease hostilities, de-escalate tensions, demonstrate restraint and work for reconciliation.
“Ireland is also concerned by recent developments in Varosha which are deeply unhelpful and simply add to the tensions in the region. The only viable solution to the Cyprus problem remains reunification, based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as provided for in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
“We welcome the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. We hope that this agreement can lead to renewed efforts to reach a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict.
“I welcome the opportunity for engagement with Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riad Malki. This will be an important opportunity to convey our shared concern regarding recent settlement expansion plans and demolitions of Palestinian property, and to discuss the road ahead towards the holding of Palestinian elections and how negotiations to bring about a peaceful settlement based on a two-state solution can be resumed.”
ENDS
Press Office
18 November 2020
