Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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343. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent speech by a person (details supplied) in which they compared Europe to a garden and the world to a jungle; his views on whether these comments were inappropriate and insensitive; his plans to call for a retraction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52941/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The comments of the HR/VP are a matter for him to address, although I do not agree with the characterisation expressed in his remarks. I welcome that he has taken the opportunity to clarify his remarks and has indicated that he intended to refer to the erosion of internationally agreed norms and the rules-based international order.

The EU and all of its Member States are bound by the Treaty on European Union to contribute to peace, security, the sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, in our relations with the wider world. The HR/VP is mandated to conduct the Union's common foreign and security policy, which is directed towards achievement of these objectives.

Regrettably, the actions of a number of states are currently gravely undermining both international law and the UN Charter and as such, it is appropriate that the HR/VP and the EU, are fully focused on addressing this challenge in our external action.

We will continue to encourage the EU to take a strong and practical stance on these issues, promoting multilateral solutions to common problems, in particular in the framework of the United Nations, and in meaningful and substantive partnership with states from all regions of the world.