Bernard J. Durkan
Question:80 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he has influenced his colleagues at EU level in the current situation in Macedonia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8576/01]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
The grave situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a matter of concern to the Government in view of its potential impact on peace and stability in the region.
Ireland has participated at EU level, at the OSCE and in discussions at the United Nations Security Council about the situation in FYROM and has made its views known in these venues. In reply to a question from Deputy Stagg on 22 March, I reported on the actions already taken up to that time by the European Union and at the United Nations Security Council in relation to the situation in FYROM.
The situation in FYROM was discussed most recently at the meeting of the European Council in Stockholm on 23 and 24 March. At that meeting, the Taoiseach and I had the opportunity of hearing at first hand from President Trajkovski and Foreign Minister Kerim of the actions the Government is taking to cope with the current crisis in the area around Tetovo. In a declaration which issued following that meeting, the full text of which is contained in the Council conclusions, the EU urged the FYROM Government to continue to respond in a restrained manner and reaffirmed our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of FYROM and the inviolability of its borders. We welcomed the determination of the elected leaders of the ethnic Albanian community to remain committed to the democratic process and their renunciation of violence and assured them that the Union will be ready to assist the necessary internal political and economic reforms in order to consolidate FYROM's multiethnic society. The EU reaffirmed its intention to sign a stabilisation and association agreement with FYROM on 9 April making FYROM the first country in the region to be linked to the EU through this new instrument.
We called on the ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo to dissociate themselves from the Albanian extremists in FYROM and to condemn the violence unconditionally as the Government of Albania has already done. In this regard, I welcome the statement made this weekend by the leaders of the three main political parties in Kosovo calling on the extremist groups to lay down their weapons and return to their homes.
The unambiguous condemnation of the actions of the Albanian extremists by their elected political representatives in the FYROM Government and parliament, their kinsfolk in Kosovo as well as by the Government of Albania demonstrates that they have no support. I hope that measures will now be taken by all sides to reduce tensions and restore peace in the region. When this has been achieved, the legitimate grievances of the Albanian community in FYROM must be addressed in accordance with normal democratic principles.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:81 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the current situation in Eritrea; the degree to which stability is being achieved with particular reference to adherence to international human rights conventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8577/01]
The Government warmly welcomed the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea on 12 December 2000. The agreement brought an end to their brutal border war and provides the real prospect of a lasting peace to the war weary peoples of both countries. It is essential that its terms be fully implemented without delay. I therefore welcome the progress that has been made to date. Lasting peace and stability will enable the Governments of both countries to devote their full attention to addressing the pressing development needs facing their societies.
Eritrea is now attempting to deal with the enormous social, economic and humanitarian con sequences of the war. The immediate priorities include access to vulnerable populations and the safe and co-ordinated resettlement of populations who were displaced as a result of the war. Since autumn 2000, 55,000 Eritreans have returned from the Sudan. A total of 208,000 internally displaced persons are still hosted in 24 camps, while an additional 10,000 to 150,000 internally displaced persons are in host communities. Eritrea also continues to face a difficult humanitarian situation as a result of the impact of the third year of drought. So far this year, the Government has contributed £94,000 to help meet these humanitarian needs.
I welcome the fact that Eritrea has ratified the Geneva Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. It has also signed the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. However, Eritrea has yet to sign a number of important UN human rights conventions. I urge it to do so without delay.