Vol. 574 No. 3
34 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, during the Irish Presidency of the EU, he will organise a conference here to discuss the need for a greater understanding of Islam in the European Union and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26711/03]
There are no plans to organise a conference of this kind. It should go without saying that the Government favours continuing dialogue among cultures in order to improve mutual understanding. Appropriate structures already exist for carrying forward such dialogue. One specific initiative being undertaken by the EU is the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for a Dialogue of Cultures. The Euro-Mediterranean mid-term ministerial in Crete on 26 and 27 May 2003 agreed on the establishment of this foundation. One of the foundation's guiding principles notes that "the values of dialogue, tolerance and respect for the other, which are common to all religions, constitute an important factor in bringing closer together cultures and civilisations".
The foundation for a dialogue of cultures should become a catalyst for all initiatives aimed at increasing dialogue and common understanding on the basis of the guiding principles for the dialogue between cultures and civilisations. We are currently exploring how we might make a concrete contribution to the establishment of the foundation. I look forward to further discussions on the foundation at the euro-mediterranean ministerial in Naples on 2 and 3 December 2003.
Ireland has previously supported initiatives in the field of cultural understanding. The United Nations General Assembly designated 2001 as the United Nations year of dialogue among civilisations. Ireland took an active role in this when it hosted a meeting of the eminent persons group appointed to report on dialogue among civilisations in Dublin on 30 and 31 May 2001.
