Foreign Affairs UPDATE Re Syria 26th June 2013
26th June 2013 - Bernard Durkan TD
Question No. 6
Parliamentary Question – Dept Details
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to endeavour to make a positive intervention to secure peace in Syria; the extent of the efforts made by the EU/UN to achieve safety corridors, no fly zones or safe havens with a view to giving some degree of protection to civilians who continue to be the victims in the course of the on-going civil war; if there are specific plans to follow up on recent discussions at the G8 meeting in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 26th June, 2013.
Ref No: 30748/13 Lottery: 1
Reply
With the death toll in the Syrian crisis now estimated at more than 93,000 and an unprecedented humanitarian emergency affecting Syria and its neighbours, it is more urgent than ever that everything possible be done to de-escalate the crisis and to promote a political settlement.
That is why Ireland and its EU partners fully support the US/Russian initiative to convene a Geneva II conference, building on the Geneva Communiqué of June 2012, with a view to mapping out a genuine transition towards democracy in Syria. EU Foreign Ministers made clear at the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May that the Union will spare no effort in helping to create the appropriate conditions for a successful convening of the conference.
I also welcome the strong endorsement and political commitment to work for the earliest possible convening of the Geneva II conference which was contained in the communiqué adopted by G8 leaders at their meeting in Enniskillen on 17/18 June. I would urge all parties involved to direct their actions towards ensuring that Geneva II takes place and that it succeeds in its goal of securing agreement among all Syrians on a power-sharing executive to oversee transition and reform.
The Tánaiste has already expressed his regret that the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May was unable to agree to renew the EU arms embargo against Syria. The Government remain firmly of the view that the provision of further arms and weapons is unlikely to assist international efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully. It is however important to underline that all 27 member States of the EU remain fully united in their desire to promote the earliest possible end to violence and a political resolution leading to transition in Syria. In the Council Declaration that accompanied the Council Decision on renewal of the sanctions package, it was noted that no member State intending to do so will proceed at this stage with the delivery of arms to Syria. The Council will also review its position before 1 August on the basis of a report from the High Representative on the developments related to the US-Russia initiative and on the engagement of the Syrian parties.
In relation to calls which have been made for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Syria, this would obviously necessitate broad international agreement and could only be authorised through a UN Security Council Resolution specifically mandating such a step. Regrettably, the Security Council has not been able to agree any Resolution on Syria since the conflict erupted in March 2011 and it appears most unlikely that the political will exists within the Council at present to reach agreement on such a proposal.
Bernard Durkan TD
Kildare NorthBernard J Durkan is the Fine Gael spokesperson on Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Originally from Killasser, Co Mayo,…
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