Martin Cullen
Question:57 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the part being played by Ireland in CSCE; and the prospects for development of CSCE.
Written Answers. - Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Ireland is a founder member of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe which, since its establishment in 1973, has built up a set of principles and mechanisms governing such areas as security in Europe, European disarmament, co-operation on human rights, and co-operation in economics, science and technology and the environment.
Since the Paris Summit in November 1990, at which the Heads of State or Government signed the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, the CSCE has taken on new functions as a pan-European forum for security co-operation. The Security Forum, established in Vienna last September, is involved in new negotiations on arms control, disarmament and confidence and security-building, as well as playing an important role in conflict prevention. The CSCE has also begun to establish new structures and institutions to meet the challenges posed by the rapidly changing political and security situation in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
The CSCE has developed a wide range of procedures and mechanisms for crisis management and conflict prevention. CSCE missions are currently operating in several Eastern European countries and the former Yugoslavia to help organise ceasefires, to investigate human rights violations and to assist in the implementation of the U.N. sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro.
At the CSCE Council of Ministers meeting in Stockholm last December further structural reforms were agreed including the appointment of a CSCE Secretary-General and a High Commissioner on National Minorities.
Ireland participates actively in the work of the CSCE at official and ministerial level. We also work closely with our EC partners to present common positions in many areas of the CSCE. We attach considerble importance to the role of the CSCE and will continue to play a full part in its activities, in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Government.