Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

International Organisations

6:00 pm

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 19: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland hopes to contribute to stability and democratic development in Europe through its chairmanship of the OSCE in 2012. [20084/11]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the involvement he anticipates for his Department in Ireland's presidency of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. [19804/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 50 together.

Ireland assumes the Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in January 2012 for one year. Comprising 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE deals with a range of issues in areas such as democratisation, human rights, arms control and conflict resolution. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the OSCE has contributed enormously to stability and democratic development in Europe. Its 16 field operations in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia undertake important work in effecting positive change on the ground and helping in a real way to improve the lives of people. The Organisation's human rights bodies, such as the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the High Commissioner on National Minorities work to nurture and promote democracy and human rights in the region.

This is the first time Ireland will chair the organisation. The Chairmanship represents an excellent opportunity for Ireland to set the OSCE's agenda and to provide fresh impetus and leadership. It is also consistent with this country's strong commitment to multilateralism and the promotion of human rights and democratic values. Last month, I travelled to Vienna to address the OSCE's Permanent Council on Ireland's plans for its Chairmanship next year. I told the Council that Ireland's approach to the Chairmanship will be pragmatic, ensuring balance and coherence to the work of the Organisation across its many areas of activity. Freedom of the media, in particular internet-based media, and good governance will be among the thematic priorities that Ireland aims to focus on next year.

The Chairmanship will also provide us with an opportunity to contribute to the OSCE's role in conflict prevention and resolution, drawing both on our experiences from the Northern Ireland peace process and on our well-established international reputation in this area. A number of protracted conflicts remain unresolved in the region, including in the Southern Caucasus and Transnistria. As OSCE Chair, Ireland will make every effort to facilitate resolution efforts within the existing agreed formats. I intend to visit the region next year to investigate at first hand what might be done to make progress in resolving these conflicts and I also plan to appoint a Special Representative to assist me in this work. Finally, Ireland will contribute to the ongoing reconciliation process in the Western Balkans through support for the OSCE field operations there and through ensuring cooperation between the EU and the OSCE in this region.

Regarding the question of the role of my Department in the OSCE Chairmanship, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will be the Chairperson-in-Office for the duration of our Chairmanship and bear overall responsibility for the executive action of the organisation and the co-ordination of its activities. My officials have been working on preparations for our Chairmanship since last summer and a dedicated OSCE Task force has been established within my Department. In addition, a team of officials will be working at Ireland's OSCE Mission in Vienna. Ireland has been an active participant in the OSCE since its origins in the 1970s and we have always viewed the organisation as a cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in Europe and Central Asia. I greatly look forward to the challenge of our Chairmanship in 2012.

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