Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to call for the EU to play a greater role in increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza and for more sanctions on Russia at a meeting of EU foreign ministers today.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs will call for the decisions at the talks in Luxembourg, which are set to focus on the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and developing situations in Moldova, Georgia and Sudan.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said the EU's focus on the Middle East "must now be on preserving the ceasefire and flooding Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian aid".
"The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. Ireland has announced an additional €6 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza to fund urgent food, medical care and other vital services," he added.
In relation to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, Mr Harris said that it is a "critical moment for Ukraine and European security in the face of Russia's continuing war of aggression", and confirmed he supports "further sanctions on Russia as well as our strong support for Ukraine's EU accession".
The EU foreign ministers' meeting is a regular, scheduled meeting of counterpart ministers in EU states.
