Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he directly or in conjunction with the EU-UN continues to monitor or encourage the peace process in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31129/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that the ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there that has caused much suffering. I am following closely developments in the talks underway and have welcomed the agreement reached last month on the land reform element of these negotiations as a very positive step forward. I wish the parties success in reaching agreement on the other important items remaining on their agenda so that a final comprehensive peace agreement can be secured.
The peace process is also supported by the European Union and the wider international community. The EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, warmly welcomed the progress reached last month on the land reform agreement, expressing the hope that this will add fresh impetus to the negotiations with a view to the rapid conclusion of a final peace agreement. She commended the parties to the talks for their commitment to the peace process and called on them to continue to negotiate and cooperate in a spirit of goodwill in order to give the Colombian people the peace that they deserve.
More generally, the European Union has made clear its readiness to provide support for activities in Colombia that promote peace, truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation. Ireland fully supports this approach. When I met with Colombia’s President Santos earlier this year I assured him that Ireland wishes the negotiators success in this important process and I told him that we stand ready, within available means, to share our experiences if invited to do so by the parties to the process.
I welcome that the United Nations is also very supportive of the peace process. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed last month’s agreement on land reform, and hopes that the parties to the talks will have further success in their efforts to reach agreement on the remaining issues. The United Nations Development Programme is playing a helpful role in this process by facilitating, together with Colombian partners and at the request of the parties to the talks, a series of consultations with civil society on themes relating to the peace process.
I am also keeping in touch with the views of various representatives of civil society on the process underway. At the recent Universal Periodic Review of Colombia at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Ireland expressed our strong support for the Colombian peace process and encouraged all parties to ensure adequate space for civil society actors in the process, paying special attention to the participation of women and indigenous communities.
