21 Márta 2013, 17:16
Members of the parliaments of EU Member States and the European Parliament meet in Dublin Castle this Sunday and Monday, 24 and 25 March, to discuss how the EU can better contribute to conflict prevention in trouble spots in Africa and the Middle East and to discuss the European Council on Defence 2013.
21 March 2013
Delegations from the parliaments of EU candidate countries and European NATO countries which are not in the EU will attend as observers.
The Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) will be opened by the Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett TD and will be jointly chaired by Pat Breen TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and by David Stanton TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. The meeting takes place in the Printworks Conference Centre, Dublin Castle, in conjunction with the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
On Sunday the Conference will be addressed by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who will focus on working for peace, security and development in Africa. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD and Minister for Justice, Defence and Equality Alan Shatter TD will address the conference on Monday (Access programme).
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pat Breen TD says: “We look forward to welcoming parliamentarians from across the European Union and beyond to Dublin Castle. In the midst of the introspection that has come with the unprecedented economic crisis of recent years, it is important that the EU remains outward-looking and uses its considerable leverage more effectively to prevent and resolve conflicts world-wide. National parliamentarians have an important role to shape this process and we look forward to exploring how to foster more coordinated approaches for the EU in the CFSP and CSDP area over the two days.”
“Each of the eight meetings being hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas will be held in public, broadcast live on Oireachtas UPC Channel 207, and webcast live on the dedicated website for the parliamentary dimension of the presidency, www.parleu2013.ie. We hope that this will provide the citizens we serve with a window into discussions and debates between European parliamentarians on how the EU can contribute to conflict prevention in the wider world.”
Chairman of the Justice, Defence and Equality Committee David Stanton TD says: “We look forward to what we hope will be a stimulating and timely conference. Of particular interest will be the opportunity for delegates to break into workshops to consider a European approach to two pressing challenges. The first discussion will centre how the experience of the Horn of Africa can inform a Comprehensive Approach to the wider continent, with the second workshop exploring the role for the EU in the Middle East Peace Process. This will be a valuable opportunity to engage with our counterparts from across the European Union on what practical steps can be taken to bolster peace in Africa and the Middle East. The proceedings of both workshops will be reported to the plenary session later on Monday afternoon. We also look forward to an interesting discussion with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, on the European Council on Defence 2013.”
The event is the fourth in a series of eight meetings being hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas during the six month Presidency, details of which are accessible on parleu2013.ie. The Oireachtas Twitter feed will carry updates over the course of Sunday and Monday. A live webcast of the proceedings can be accessed via www.parleu2013.ie/live
Photos: Photos of the event will be available from Maxwells - tel: +353 1 830-8072 or email office@maxwellphotography.ie
Conference footage: Broadcast quality copies of the proceedings will be available from the OBU, who can be contacted on +353 1 6183789 ; mobile +353 86 8193399 or email facilities@picommunications.ie,
Media: Please note that the Werburgh Street Media Centre will not be open for this event. For further information or to register your interest in attending the event, please contact:
Paul Hand,
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
E: paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
or
Cáit Hayes,
Tel: +353 1 6183883
Mob: +353 87 9190300
E: cait.hayes@oireachtas.ie