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Advancing Irish Priorities

Our national statements in General Assembly and Security Council debates convey Ireland's perspective on major international challenges in the political and security field.

Middle East

The Middle East Peace Process is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland. We have a record of strong support for a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East based on a two-state solution.

In November 2012 Ireland voted in favour of Palestine becoming an Observer State at the United Nations. In addition to political support for the Palestinian people and for the development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian state, we have provided substantial financial support over more than two decades (€10.7 million in 2013).

In its contributions to UN debates on Syria, Ireland has pressed for an immediate end to the conflict and suffering and for a political way forward. On the issue of accountability for atrocities committed during the conflict, we have joined other states in calling for the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. We have also provided some €20 million of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and have pledged to provide an additional €6.7 million over the course of 2014.

Africa

As part of the Government’s Africa Strategy, we make statements in UN debates on African issues calling for greater support for conflict resolution, disarmament and human rights work undertaken by the UN, regional and national actors.

Sub-Saharan Africa is an area of particular interest given our close development partnership with several states in the region and our participation UN peacekeeping missions there.

Ireland also has a close connection with the Great Lakes region. Our first major contribution to UN peacekeeping was the deployment of an Irish army contingent to the UN’s Congo operation in 1958. More recently, we have supported a number of initiatives designed to strengthen the role of women of the region in peace negotiations. We also supported the work of Mary Robinson in implementing her UN mandate as Special Envoy for the Great Lakes.