Africa
Ireland: Minister Coveney will attend the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg


Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense
On October 17, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense, Simon Coveney TD, will attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

The Council will consider and discuss the EU’s strategic response to a wide range of recent issues and events, including Russia‘s continued aggression against Ukraine and developments in Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, among others.

The ministers will also discuss coordinating their efforts ahead of the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference in Egypt.
The Council will also assess the EU’s relationship with China ahead of the European Council’s strategic debate on EU-Asia relations later this week.
Speaking before the discussion on Russian aggression against Ukraine, Minister Coveney said: “It is clear that Russia has decided to choose the path of escalation in this war, proceeding with its attempted annexation of the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
We have said since the beginning of the Russian invasion that we will respond with unity, firmness and determination, in solidarity with Ukraine.
The Council is now ready to act and I hope to adopt a series of decisions that will support Ukraine and deter Russian aggression.”
Speaking about COP27, Minister Coveney said: “Ireland is very involved in the EU’s preparations for the COP27 Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh.
This includes working to increase our collective climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement and driving urgent implementation of previous commitments.
We have been coordinating with other EU partners and we look forward to taking a significant step today to enhance the closeness and effectiveness of that partnership.”


