Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the recent progress made on a durable solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, with the conclusion in Addis Ababa on 24 February of the Peace, Security and Co-operation Framework Agreement for the DRC and the region.

The conflict has been allowed to continue for too long. It has taken millions of lives and caused untold human suffering. It is now vital to build on the framework agreed in Addis Ababa, and I warmly welcome the decision of the United Nations Secretary General to appoint the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson as special envoy to the region. She can count on the full support of the Government and of the EU in her work.

In the United Nations Secretary General’s words, a lasting solution must be anchored in the political will of the leaders of all countries in the region. It must address the structural causes of instability in the DRC itself. It must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all-----

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