Tánaiste Martin to attend Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg

On 24 April, Micheál Martin TD, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, will attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

Ministers will discuss ongoing violence in Sudan and Russia’s continued full-scale invasion of Ukraine and meet with the Ukrainian and Georgian Foreign Ministers.

The FAC will also discuss preparations for the upcoming Council of Europe Summit, and the EU’s engagement with Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

“The situation in Sudan remains deeply concerning and our discussion at EU level today will be an important one, as we must use whatever influence we have as the European Union, to bring this conflict to an end as soon as possible. Since the outbreak of violence, the Department of Foreign Affairs has been working intensively to offer our own citizens assistance. The Government decision to deploy an Emergency Civil Assistance Team is a continuation of that, and they will offer consular and other assistance to Irish citizens and their dependents evacuating Sudan.”

Referring to events in the Middle East, the Tánaiste stated:

“I am deeply concerned by the events we have witnessed in recent weeks in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Respect for international law will continue to be our guiding principle and I welcome the opportunity for today’s EU discussion.”

On Russia’s continuing aggression in Ukraine, the Tánaiste said “Russia’s abominable actions in Ukraine continue. Our determination however remains steadfast and today, we will continue to explore how the EU can sustain and increase its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland.