Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore will appear before an Oireachtas committee today to brief TDs and senators ahead of this evening's Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
Among the subjects Mr Gilmore will discuss with members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade are the conflicts in Syria and Sudan, the Middle East peace process, EU-Asia trade relations and relations with Ukraine.
"The committee is keen to discuss the EU position in relation to developments in countries undergoing transition in the Middle East and North Africa. The crisis in Syria has understandably been a focus of much attention at FAC meetings in recent months and, in particular, the escalating violence between parties to the conflict and the ensuing heavy loss of lives among civilians," said committee chairman Pat Breen.
He said the committee was interested in discussing the imprisonment and conditions of detention of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, as well as the prospects for the signing and ratification of the EU’s Association Agreement with Ukraine.
"The lack of progress of the Middle East Peace Process, which is stalled on efforts to bring the two sides back to direct talks, is also an issue of concern, while the escalating conflict between Sudan and South Sudan and the deteriorating situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region will also be addressed at our meeting,” added Mr Breen.
This meeting will start in Committee Room 1, Leinster House at 5.30pm.