Dan Boyle
Ceist:102 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Government recognises and supports the unelected, provisional government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [23800/03]
Adjournment Debate. - Foreign Conflicts.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:103 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland's Presidency of the European Union offers the opportunity to speak on behalf of the needs and interests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [23801/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.
The consolidation of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will continue to be a priority for the Government during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. In the past two years, substantial progress has been made by the parties to the conflict to permanently resolve their differences and to bring about just and lasting peace in the DRC. All foreign forces have withdrawn their troops from DRC territory and the Inter-Congolese Dialogue has culminated in the signing on 2 April 2003, of the Final Act of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue and the establishment of the transitional Government. In July, the new Government of the DRC met for the first time and in August the interim Parliament was officially inaugurated.
Under the Final Act, the parties comprising the two main rebel groups, the Government, the unarmed opposition and representatives of civil society, have agreed to establish a transitional power-sharing government for two years, to be followed by elections. In March 2003, the Security Council passed Resolution 1468 which welcomed the agreement reached by the Congolese parties at the Inter-Congolese Dialogue and called for the establishment of the transitional Government without delay. The Irish Government fully supports the establishment of the transitional Government in the DRC as part of the process of national reconciliation provided for under the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. During our membership of the UN Security Council, Ireland was an active supporter of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue to which we contributed €127,000 to the Office of the Facilitator.
The Government has also provided substantial humanitarian assistance in response to the enormous suffering caused by conflict and natural disasters in the DRC. Development Co-operation Ireland DCI has delivered almost €5 million in emergency humanitarian aid for the people of the DRC since 2000. In addition, under DCI's multi-annual programme scheme, an estimated €1.1 million is being provided to Concern for a three year development assistance programme in the sectors of health and livelihood security.
For Ireland and our EU partners, the principal priority going forward into the Irish Presidency is to consolidate the progress made so far by assisting the Transitional Government in institution-building, constitutional reform and strengthening the rule of law. In this respect, the release of €205 million in European development funding to the DRC is to be welcomed.
Ireland and its EU partners will continue to encourage the Transitional Government in Kinshasa to consolidate its authority throughout the territory of the DRC and to hasten the process of creating an integrated national army and police force. Specifically, as regards the envisaged integrated police force, the EU is currently exploring how it might best assist this process.
In July 2003, the External Relations Council reiterated the EU's determination to deploy all its instruments in support of the political process under way in the DRC. To this end, the EU is committed to providing support for the work of the Ituri Interim Administration and the Ituri Pacification Commission, support for the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process and the launch of a local reconciliation process. Ireland fully intends to sustain the positive engagement of the EU in the DRC and the Great Lakes region during our Presidency.
Ireland and the EU will continue to help foster good relations between the DRC and neighbouring countries. An important event during Ireland's Presidency will be the Great Lakes Conference, which is currently scheduled to take place in June 2004. The conference will focus on peace, security, democracy and development in the Great Lakes region and will be held under the auspices of the African Union and the UN.
As further evidence of Ireland's commitment to the DRC, we will ensure that the EU Special Representative to the Great Lakes Region is utilised to the full in promoting EU policy in the region. We will also seek to have the mandate of the Special Representative renewed during our Presidency. In addition, my Department continues to avail itself of bilateral meetings with regional and pan-African parties to stress Ireland's support for the peace process in the DRC and to encourage others to fully support the transitional institutions in that country. Without doubt, the scope for such opportunities will increase during our Presidency of the EU and we stand ready to respond accordingly.
Ireland will also continue to voice strong support for initiatives aimed at ending the culture of impunity generally in the region and bringing to account all those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide.