Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance Ireland and its EU partners have offered in providing a framework for dialogue between India and Pakistan, particularly in view of the atrocities in Mumbai at the end of 2008. [1948/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Mumbai attacks at the end of November were a horrific terrorist offensive against the Government of India, innocent Indian civilians and targeted foreigners. In a statement issued immediately after the attacks began, I said that terrorist atrocities such as those at Mumbai served no purpose except to kill and injure innocent victims, Indian and foreign alike, and to sow panic and suspicion. The attacks represent the latest in a series of terrorist atrocities which have threatened cross-border relations between India and Pakistan and progress in the "composite dialogue", a process established in January 2004 to address contentious issues between the two countries, including Kashmir.

Following President Zardari's accession to power in Pakistan and prior to the attacks in Mumbai, there had been a welcome improvement in relations between the countries. At a meeting in September last year, Prime Minister Singh of India and President Zardari pledged to resolve all outstanding issues between them and to bring lasting peace to the region. If good relations between India and Pakistan are to be restored — and this is important in terms of regional stability and development — it is essential that the various issues relating to the Mumbai attacks are resolved between the two countries as quickly and effectively as possible.

The Indian Government on 5 January announced that it had handed over evidence on the attacks to Pakistan and that it expected a prompt investigation. The Indian Government has also sought the support of the international community in ensuring that there is an effective response by Pakistan. Together with our EU partners, Ireland has called on the Government of Pakistan to act decisively and effectively to bring to justice all those involved in the planning, funding and execution of the horrific attacks in Mumbai, and to work constructively with India in this task. We have reiterated these views and concerns in bilateral meetings with the Embassies of both countries since the Indian documentation was handed over to Pakistan authorities on 5 January. We hope that discussions between the countries can develop on the basis of a shared determination to prevent such tragic events from ever happening again.

In this context, it is essential also that India and Pakistan cooperate fully in countering any future terrorist threat. Successive attacks, including the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on 21 September last, demonstrate that terrorism is as much a threat to the people and Government of Pakistan as it is to India. Given the key importance of such action for the security of both countries and the protection of their own people and foreigners alike, the EU has made clear its willingness, and wish, to provide technical assistance in relation to counter-terrorism and security. This offer was reiterated by EU Foreign Ministers on 8/9 December. The EU Ministers also placed strong emphasis on the importance of effective regional security cooperation as an essential element in the field of counter-terrorism.