Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 898: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will push the peace agenda in relation to the Middle East and the conflict along the Sudan/Chad border. [28615/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The situations in the Middle East and in Sudan are at the top of the foreign policy agendas of Ireland nationally and of the EU.

The conflict in Lebanon this summer, and the continuing crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, serve to underline that there is no military or unilateral solution to the inter-related problems of the Middle East. It is the strong view of the Government, and of our partners in the European Union, that the underlying cause of the violence which has caused so much suffering to Lebanese, Israeli and Palestinian civilians in recent months is the absence of a credible process for a comprehensive settlement. The most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I attended in Brussels on 15 September, stated the strong view of the EU that lasting peace and security in the region can only be ensured by a comprehensive settlement with a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at its core.

The Government has consistently been active directly with the parties, within the EU and at the UN in the promotion of a just, lasting and peaceful comprehensive settlement. We have worked to ensure that the EU remains fully engaged in the process, with a clear and balanced message for all parties. I attended two emergency meetings of the Council in Brussels during August, which were instrumental in ensuring the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1701, the achievement of a ceasefire in Lebanon and the deployment to Southern Lebanon of a strengthened UNIFIL mission, alongside units of the Lebanese Army. I warmly welcome the progress which is being made in the implementation of Resolution 1701, which offers a path to a stable peace based on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon. The Government will work with our partners to ensure its full implementation. We are also actively considering an Irish contribution to the UNIFIL II mission.

The urgent need for progress towards a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been at the heart of all my recent discussions at meetings of the Council and at the United Nations. The situation in Gaza in particular is unsustainable. The EU is determined to work with Israel and the Palestinians to revive a credible peace process, based on the essentials of the Quartet Roadmap. Both parties must meet their obligations under the Roadmap and under international law. We strongly support the courageous efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to create a Palestinian national unity Government which is committed to a two-State solution and reflects the principles outlined clearly by the international Quartet. I have stated clearly the urgent need for progress towards a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been at the heart of all my recent discussions at meetings of the Council and at the United Nations. The situation in Gaza in particular is unsustainable. The EU is determined to work with Israel and the Palestinians to revive a credible peace process, based on the essentials of the Quartet Roadmap. Both parties must meet their obligations under the Roadmap and under international law. We strongly support the courageous efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to create a Palestinian national unity Government which is committed to a two-State solution and reflects the principles outlined clearly by the international Quartet. I have stated clearly that if he succeeds, the EU and the international community must be generous and creative in our response. We are also working closely with the Israeli Government to encourage a more serious and open engagement with the Palestinians, starting with an early and substantive meeting between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas. Israel must also end all activities, including the expansion of settlements and the construction of the separation barrier on occupied territory, which are contrary to international law and undermine the prospects for a viable two-State solution.

The immediate priority must be to end the security and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This will require an end to violence from all sources, the release of the kidnapped Israeli soldier and the detained Palestinian legislators, and the re-opening of border crossings for people and for goods. I believe that this can be achieved, through acts of political courage by the parties, and that a basis can be found for renewed negotiations towards the establishment of two viable, sovereign democratic states living together in peace and security. The Government will continue to play an active role, in cooperation with its EU partners, in the search for such a settlement, which is vital for the future stability of the region.

The Government's overall approach to the Darfur crisis is set out in reply to Question No. 900.

The crisis has also affected Chad. Over 250,000 refugees from Darfur have taken refuge there. Since late 2005 both countries have traded accusations of support for each other's rebels. An agreement to improve relations was signed in Tripoli on 8 February 2006, but there have been problems in implementation. On 14 April 2006, Chad broke off diplomatic relations with Sudan, alleging that Khartoum had supported an unsuccessful attempt by rebel forces to overthrow President Deby. On 14 June 2006, Sudan asked France to mediate with Chad and on 30 June Chad announced its readiness to hold talks with Sudan. On 26 July 2006 both sides signed an agreement to stop hosting rebels on each other's territory and on 24 August Chad handed over to African Union officials five suspected rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Darfur, one of the groups which did not sign the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). Diplomatic relations were restored and border crossings re-opened after the two Presidents met on 9 August in N'djamena.

At our meeting on 15 May 2006, EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the instability on the Chad-Sudan border and its potential impact on the humanitarian situation of the population in both counties. Sudan was reminded that any assistance to attempts to overthrow the Chadian Government by unconstitutional means is incompatible with the pursuit of a political solution to the Darfur conflict. Both countries were urged to fully implement the February 2006 Tripoli Agreement, to put an end to any direct or indirect support to rebel groups in the other country and to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and on the basis of full respect for the territorial integrity of the other. On 15 September 2006 the EU welcomed the recent indications of an improvement in the relations between Sudan and Chad.