Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has stated that no peace settlement can be forced on Ukraine unless it is fully supported by both Ukraine and the European Union.
Speaking as she arrived for her first attendance at the EU’s foreign affairs council in her new role, she said: “It’s really important that on any agreement that is reached that there is full support from Ukraine, but also from the EU”, reports RTE.
“I would repeat, the actions of Russia in recent days do not show a country that wants a lasting peace, and so Europe must be absolutely firm in its solidarity and its support for Ukraine. Ireland has always stood resolutely with Ukraine, and that certainly won’t change”, reports RTE.
There have been claims that a peace proposal drafted jointly by officials linked to the Trump administration and Russia would require Ukraine to surrender extensive territory, scale back its military forces and refrain from using long-range missiles, reports RTE.
EU foreign ministers are expected to address the matter during today’s meeting in Brussels, along with discussions on sanctioning Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers transporting crude oil worldwide in breach of the G7 price cap.
Ministers are also set to consider what part the EU might play in advancing the Middle East Peace Process, as the fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, reports RTE.
A session of the Palestinian Donors’ Group is scheduled to take place in Brussels later today, and Ms McEntee will be in attendance.
The minister said it was unacceptable for Israel to keep withholding tax and customs funds that belong to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, reports RTE.
“It is important that any monies that are owed to the Palestinian Authority, tax monies, that they are paid”, reports RTE.
“It’s very clear that there will be significant financial support that is needed to rebuild Gaza, and that that financial support will need to be sustained over a long period of time”, reports RTE.
“Ireland is absolutely committed to that, and has been committed to providing whatever financial support that we can, and that will continue. And I think those conversations need to be had with Israel, as well as with other member states across the EU and beyond as well.”
Ms McEntee warned that in Gaza there remained a “significant risk” that tens of thousands of people could face starvation, reports RTE.
“We need to ensure that our humanitarian aid, that is finally flowing in, that that can increase, and that we are working towards a long, lasting peaceful solution, that we are working towards that two state solution”, reports RTE.
She added that the Government remained committed to advancing the Occupied Territories Bill, though she acknowledged the process was “complex and not straightforward”, reports RTE.
“We’ve given a commitment in relation to goods. In terms of services, this is something that we are exploring further and working with the Attorney General on. We are still, and I am still. committed to progressing this piece of legislation, working closely with our colleagues, not just across Europe, but in the US as well,” the minister said, reports RTE..
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
