Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
31. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent statements from the Russia and American Governments in which they agreed to work together to end the Syrian conflict and host an international conference on the issue in search of peace; and his views on whether this is a positive step. [23226/13]
View answer45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of any progress made through the aegis of the EU or UN towards achieving some consensus on the situation in Syria with particular reference to achieving a common approach with the objective of a cessation of hostilities and some provision to alleviate the appalling hardship and human rights abuses arising from the war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23346/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 45 together.
More than two years after it first erupted, the conflict in Syria continues to be one of the greatest challenges confronting the international community. The dimensions of the crisis are truly daunting. An estimated 80,000 people have lost their lives; one-third of Syrians have either fled the country, are internally displaced or are otherwise in need of assistance; and there is an ever increasing threat to regional stability, as exemplified by the bomb explosion in Reyanhli in south Turkey on 12 May, which killed 46 people and injured hundreds.
Despite the level of destruction and violence, Ireland and its EU partners remain fully convinced that a political solution alone can bring about an end to the hostilities and lead the way towards a peaceful transition to democracy.
Since his appointment in August 2012 and in extremely challenging circumstances, the UN/League of Arab States Special Envoy, Ladkhar Brahimi, has shown great resolve in working to achieve these objectives. Ireland and its EU partners have expressed full support for his efforts, notably his search for a formula for transition based on last year’s Geneva Communiqué and providing for a transitional Government leading to free elections in Syria.
The role of the international community in seeking a political settlement to the crisis, in particularly through the UN Security Council, is crucial. I therefore warmly welcome the agreement reached by the US and Russia, following bilateral discussions in Moscow last week involving Secretary of State Kerry, President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov, to work together on an International Conference on Syria which would be held before the end of the month. UN Secretary General Ban and Special Envoy Brahimi have also welcomed this development. I urge the Syrian opposition to seize the opportunity offered by the US-Russia proposal and to engage fully in a process of dialogue aimed at ending the violence and starting a transition towards a genuine democratic dispensation in Syria.
It also remains necessary to ensure that the many crimes and human rights abuses committed throughout the conflict do not go unpunished. Ireland has been very much to the fore, both at the EU and international levels, in calling for all perpetrators to be held accountable for the war crimes and serious human rights violations they have committed, including through referral to the International Criminal Court. Ireland has now agreed, along with 18 other EU member states, to co-sponsor a UN General Assembly resolution on Syria, due for adoption on 15 May, which addresses the current appalling situation in Syria and urges the need to ensure accountability.
Ireland and the EU will remain fully occupied at all levels of our international engagement in securing the earliest cessation of violence in Syria and in providing the Syrian population with the aid and care they need and the hope that their nightmare will soon end.
