Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 123: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason Bosnia was omitted from the Irish OSCE priorities. [10701/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE for 2012, I presented the priorities for our Chairmanship to the OSCE's Permanent Council in Vienna on 12 January. These involve a lot of policy objectives and thematic concerns across the full range of the OSCE's work but do not include a list of specific country priorities. Western Balkan issues are, however, of ongoing interest within the OSCE. Within the OSCE's Human Dimension, which relates to human rights and democratisation, the Irish Chairmanship will be prioritising the issue of internet freedom. Governance is the central theme for the Economic & Environmental Dimension, including efforts to combat corruption and money laundering. In terms of the Politico-Military Dimension, the Irish Chairmanship is working to help facilitate progress in the resolution of the OSCE region's protracted conflicts, drawing on lessons learned from the Northern Ireland peace process. We are also prioritising progress on updating the OSCE's confidence and security-building measures and on enhancing the conflict prevention capacity of the organisation.