I am aware of the recent successful conclusion of the negotiations on the Framework Peace Agreement in Manila on 7 October between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Ireland's diplomatic relations with the Philippines are maintained by secondary accreditation via our Embassy in Singapore.
I believe that the signature of this Framework Peace Agreement is a positive step towards a long-lasting peace in Mindanao which will lead to further stability and prosperity. This will be good not only for Mindanao, but for the whole of the Philippines. I commend President Aquino of the Philippines and the commitment of the MILF leadership in reaching the agreement.
This Framework Agreement is of course not the final step of the peace process. It does, however, signal a new phase in which the Government and the MILF will now work as partners in the implementation of its provision. Implementation of this Agreement will require engagement by the Government and MILF, and also cross-sector public participation.
In relation to the Deputy's enquiry on the possibility of offering assistance to the Government of the Philippines over the past few years, successive Irish Governments have shared the experience and insights gained during our peace process with groups operating in conflict situations from many different parts of the world. A small Conflict Resolution Unit was created in my Department in 2007 to facilitate this work and to assist those striving for peaceful settlements elsewhere. In this and other ways, Ireland is making a strong national contribution to conflict resolution and mediation efforts around the world.
As Chair-in-Office of the Organisation for Security for Cooperation in Europe for 2012, one of our main priorities has been to draw on Ireland's experience of conflict resolution and peace-building to facilitate efforts to resolve conflicts in the OSCE area. In April, I hosted in Dublin a major conference which was entitled 'Shared Future: Building and Sustaining Peace, the Northern Ireland case study'. Since then, we have hosted a number of smaller, follow-up activities.
Ireland has welcomed a number of foreign delegations to Ireland for study visits. While the circumstances of all conflicts are different, my Department would consider a request from the Philippines to facilitate such a visit to Ireland subject to the availability of resources.
