Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his attendance at the UN Security Council meeting on Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 November 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57848/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, represented Ireland at the meeting of the UN Security Council on Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 November 2022.

At the meeting, the 15 members of UN Security Council voted unanimously to reauthorise EUFOR Althea, the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for an additional 12 months. The successful renewal of this resolution was a key priority for Ireland and we were proud to act as penholder on the renewal.

Minister Byrne delivered Ireland’s statement, in which he reaffirmed our steadfast support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a single, sovereign, united and multi-ethnic state. He also welcomed the holding of peaceful elections on 2 October but expressed concern about the use of divisive and negative rhetoric in the run up to the elections. Minister Byrne emphasised the need for swift government formation in the post-electoral period so as to move ahead with the critical reform processes necessary for advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective.

Minister Byrne also welcomed the publication of the High Representative’s report. It is regrettable that High Representative Schmidt was not able to brief the Council at the meeting, for the second year in a row. However, it is hoped that he will be able to brief the Council in May. Minister Byrne reiterated Ireland’s full support for the Office of the High Representative.

As the country concerned, Bosnia and Herzegovina also spoke at the meeting, to welcome the reauthorisation of EUFOR Althea and to express appreciation for Ireland’s leadership.