Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2015
188. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consultations he has had with a Deputy (details supplied) in the Deputy's capacity as European Union envoy for the peace process in Colombia in regard to his assessment of the current situation on the ground in Colombia, particularly in Argelia in the south-western department of Cauca, with regard to coca eradication. [42232/15]
View answerI met the Deputy in question on 27 October to congratulate him on his appointment as EU Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Colombia.
Ireland has consistently supported the peace talks underway in Havana. We have engaged with the Colombian government and advisers to the talks to share our experience of peace-building and conflict resolution, and I have offered the Deputy the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in carrying out this important work. I warmly welcomed the decision of High Representative Mogherini to assign him the role of spearheading the EU’s support to the implementation of a peace agreement in the country.
Officials of my Department have met with the Special Envoy on a number of occasions since the announcement of his appointment to talk about the Colombian peace process and to offer him our support. Our discussions have focused on how the EU can best support the peace process and future implementation. Our Embassy in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia, is in ongoing contact with the Deputy and the Ambassador recently travelled to Bogota to meet him during his first visit to Colombia as Special Envoy.
