Minister Donohoe to discuss Ukraine with EU Foreign Ministers

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, TD, will represent Ireland at the “Gymnich” informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Athens on 4-5 April.

It is expected that the crisis in Ukraine and the implications for the EU’s wider Eastern Neighbourhood will dominate discussions over the course of the two days.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Minister Donohoe said:

“As it has developed over recent months, the crisis in Ukraine has presented us with the most significant political crisis in Europe for several decades. The Ministerial meeting in Athens provides us with an opportunity as a Union to take stock of the prospects for a peaceful and negotiated solution as well assessing the wider implications of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

“On Saturday morning the Foreign Ministers of EU Candidate Countries, including Turkey and Serbia, have been invited to join us for an in-depth exchange of views on recent developments.”

The informal meeting is chaired by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, and is hosted by the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Ministers will also discuss developments in the broader Middle East region, as well as examining the EU’s relations with Strategic Partners.