Vol. 502 No. 6
52 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has attempted to influence events in Kosovo with the objective of protecting human rights and ending violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8983/99]
57 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's policy in relation to the crisis in Kosova; and if Ireland has any involvement direct or indirect in the search for a solution. [8912/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 57 together.
I have set out Ireland's policy in relation to the crisis in Kosovo in reply to the priority question put down by Deputy Gay Mitchell today.
As the House will be aware the nature and gravity of the crisis in Kosovo is such that it is receiving the attention of the entire international community, and in particular in bodies such as the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, as well as several other organisations which provide humanitarian aid and assistance.
In each such organisation where Ireland is represented, every effort is made to make a constructive contribution to a resolution of the crisis in Kosovo. Under the European Union's CFSP, this is done in close consultation with our partners both with regard to the Union's own policies within the Union or with a view to having them influence larger fora. Where requests for assistance in terms of human or financial resources arise, Ireland considers each such request as positively as possible and contributes in the light of available resources.
In addition, our views are conveyed to the authorities in Belgrade through our bilateral diplomatic channel.
