Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union directly or in conjunction with the UN continues to make a persistent and positive impact in the context of the Middle East, the Ukraine-Russian situation and other sensitive flashpoints around the globe; if he is satisfied regarding the success of efforts to date in this regard; if reassessment of these situations is warranted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44962/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As a global actor, the EU is continuously engaged, both directly and in conjunction with the UN and other international partners, in making a positive contribution to help prevent and overcome conflicts around the world. Peace building and conflict prevention are central to the EU’s actions on the international stage, and particularly in the context of the pressing conflicts with which we are currently faced. Indeed, the EU has established peace missions and operations in many of the most sensitive regions, including most recently in Ukraine. These peace missions work actively to contribute to stability and improved security across the globe.

Since the outset of the crisis in Ukraine, the EU has sought to play an active role in helping to find a peaceful solution. We have strongly supported the OSCE, including through financial assistance and seconded staff, in their crucial role in both negotiation a ceasefire and monitoring its implementation. The EU has also directly pursued the path of diplomatic dialogue to achieve an outcome fully respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the UN level, we supported and worked to promote the adoption of the resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russian actions to destabilise eastern Ukraine, the EU introduced sanctions which have been gradually stepped up as the situation on the ground has developed. These sanctions are an effective means by which to encourage all sides to come to the negotiating table. We firmly believe that the measures taken in relation to Russia, coupled with continued political and diplomatic engagement with the various sides involved in the conflict, is the best way to create the conditions for this engagement.

Internal reform aimed at building the broadest possible consensus across the country in Ukraine must also be central to any strategy to overcome the crisis. The EU has established an Advisory Mission on Rule of Law under its Common Security and Defence policy to support the Ukrainian authorities in their efforts to reform the civilian security sector. My Department is funding the participation of two Irish members of this Mission.

The EU has also played a positive role in supporting the international response to the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the conflict in eastern Ukraine. To date, the European Commission has mobilised €10.8 million in humanitarian assistance and € 17 million in development funding. €4.5 million has been provided specifically to meet the recovery and integration needs of the large number of civilians who have had to flee their homes and towns.

Considerable ongoing efforts are being made by the international community, in which Ireland is actively engaged, to resolve, and where possible prevent, conflicts, human rights abuses, and atrocity crimes across the Middle East. The international community, including the EU and UN, are using all the available instruments to foster constructive dialogue and to encourage peaceful, negotiated solutions to political differences in the region.

As I made clear in my address to the United Nations General Assembly in September, there can be no complacency within the international community about the threat which ISIS and other extremists represent or about the need for urgent international action to confront this threat to us all. In this speech, I also underlined that it is long past time for the attainment of a comprehensive peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples by means of the realization of a just, negotiated two-State solution.