Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2023
27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on discussions related to the Colombian peace process during a bilateral meeting with the Colombian President at the United Nations General Assembly in October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50184/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland maintains close contact with the Colombian Government across all levels, reflecting the fact that we enjoy excellent and wide-ranging relations. Ireland continues to actively support peacebuilding in Colombia as a key priority, with a view to ensuring a peaceful future for all Colombians. We remain firmly committed to supporting in particular the implementation of the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement, as well as the “Total Peace” policy of the current administration. Since October 2023 Ireland has taken on the role of guarantor country in the peace talks that have been established between the Government and the Estado Mayor Central group, alongside Norway, Switzerland and Venezuela and following an invitation from both parties to the talks.
While I did not have the opportunity for a bilateral meeting with President Petro in the margins of the most recent meeting of the UN General Assembly, my most recent direct engagement with the Colombian Government was my meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva at the Munich Security Conference in February this year. Our meeting covered a broad range of issues; I spoke of the strong, longstanding relationship between Ireland and Colombia, and received thanks from Minister Levya for Ireland’s work on the United Nations Security Council and our continued support for the Colombian Peace Process.
The Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá is actively engaged in work to support the peace process in Colombia, and has very regular contact with interlocutors from the Colombian Government on all areas of our bilateral relationship. Officials in my Department also maintain close contact with officials from the Embassy of Colombia in Dublin. In October 2023, bilateral consultations with Colombia took place in Dublin at official level, at which our support for peace in Colombia was also discussed alongside other issues in the bilateral relationship.
My Department will continue to engage closely with Colombia across all the areas of our broad bilateral relationship, including peacebuilding, trade and economic cooperation, multilateral cooperation and engagement on culture and education.
