Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

In my concluding statement, I will deal with the question raised by Deputies Kenny, Barrett, Creed and Howlin as to what is European.

The situation in Côte d'Ivoire after its November presidential election was considered at the meeting. The Union, along with ECOWAS, the US and the UN, has indicated its concerns over the difficulties experienced by the duly elected president. Following the action taken by the African Union and ECOWAS to suspend Côte d'Ivoire from their groups, the European Union has agreed to impose travel restrictions and put in place asset freezing for specific persons associated with the previous regime there. As Deputy Howlin knows, over the years in similar situations in other African countries, national assets were stripped and removed from the countries, impoverishing the people and leaving behind devastation. It must be said many such assets were transferred to parts of Europe, which is not a particularly moral stance.

The European Union is supporting African leadership on this issue and the peaceful resolution of the election result. It will be kept under consideration by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton.

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