Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions that have been held at European Union level in relation to North Korea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18162/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland, together with our partners in the European Union, is in close contact on matters of concern involving the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). We continue to engage with key partners to build a firm and unified response. Recent actions by North Korea directly threaten peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and are a clear violation of the country’s international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, 2087 and 2094. These further measures in particular concern trade in conventional weapons involving North Korea and the export to North Korea of certain key components for ballistic usage. These further measures in particular concern trade in conventional weapons involving North Korea and the export to North Korea of certain key components for ballistic usage. At this meeting, Ireland together with our EU partners further called upon North Korea to reengage constructively with the international community, in particular to rejoin with the other members of the Six-Party Talks on denuclearisation, and thus to work towards lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

On the 8 April 2013, High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton called the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Yun Byung-se and discussed the latest developments regarding North Korea. High Representative Ashton reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for the approach of the United Nations Security Councils and again called upon North Korea to reengage constructively with the international community in order to work towards lasting peace and security on a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Both sides also remain in close contact regarding developments in the situation.