Seán Haughey
Ceist:24. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 7 March 2024
Ceisteanna (24, 55)
James O'Connor
Ceist:55. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his discussions on Ukraine at the recent Munich Security Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11147/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 55 together.
I attended the Munich Security Conference from 16-18 February. The Munich Security Conference continues to be one of the world’s leading platforms for debate and policy exchange on international security and foreign policy, including Russia’s ongoing illegal war in Ukraine and its impact on European and global security, the situation in the Middle East, and support for the global multilateral system.
The Munich Security Conference is an important opportunity for Ireland to remain at the centre of global conversations on foreign and security policy choices. This year the Government was represented for the first time by both the Taoiseach and myself. I was able to meet with a range of global leaders, decision-makers and policy-thinkers including my counterparts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Norway, and Palestine, as well as the UK Shadow Foreign Secretary and the ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, with whom I discussed the progress of his investigations in both Ukraine and the Middle East. The Taoiseach participated in a panel discussion on neutrality, moderated by Professor Louise Richardson, which included participants from Austria, Malta and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and also had a programme of bilateral engagements.
I also addressed the conference in a spotlight event on UN Security Council Reform, a key foreign policy priority for Ireland, as part of a panel discussion alongside leaders from Slovenia, Peru, Kenya, and Germany. Following our UN Security Council term in 2021 and 2022, I am more convinced than ever that maintaining the credibility and legitimacy of the global multilateral system, with the UN Charter at its heart, requires radical reform of the Security Council. The UN’s peace and security architecture needs to adapt to address global realities. This is the message that I delivered to the conference participants.
Munich was also an opportunity to have extensive conversations with Arab, European and transatlantic partners on the situations in Gaza and Ukraine. Throughout my engagements, I called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and full, unhindered and safe humanitarian access to all civilians, while also underlining the urgency of moving quickly and decisively to a permanent political solution, including the full recognition of two states, Israel and Palestine, by the entire international community.
I also participated in discussions around the continued need to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression. Yulia Navalnaya, just hours after the death of her husband Alexei, also addressed the conference, in what was a stark reminder of the character of the Russian government, which is currently attempting to forcibly annex Ukrainian territory. I attended the address of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the conference and took careful note of his appeal for sustained and substantive support in the face of escalating aggression. Ireland will continue to answer that call. Ireland continues to believe that EU membership is the ultimate security guarantee that can be provided to Ukraine, and we will support their accession path in every way possible.
Participation in the Munich Security Conference once again ensured that Ireland’s voice was heard in the discussions on critical foreign and security policy issues underway globally, and allowed us an opportunity to present our principled vision for a path towards greater global stability and security, with respect for the UN Charter at its core.