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Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, TD, attended an informal meeting of OSCE Ministers today in Mauerbach, Austria. The theme of the meeting was “Building Trust through Dialogue and Co-operation”.

Minister McEntee underlined the unique role of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue and cooperation.

Speaking at the meeting the Minister said:

"For the OSCE to prosper we must act as a community of 57 states united in a shared belief in a comprehensive approach to security. Our collective goal is to work towards a genuine security community, rooted in agreed principles, shared commitments and common goals.”

On the conflict in Ukraine, the Minister highlighted the need for urgent implementation of the Minsk agreements.

“The fact that ten thousand people have died in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and that people continue to die in that conflict every week is inexcusable. Ireland calls on all of the parties to the Accords to work towards their immediate implementation.”

The Minister also held meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, on issues of bilateral interest.

Note: The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an intergovernmental regional security organisation comprising 57 States from Europe, Central Asia and North America. The OSCE is unique in that it places respect for democratic values, human rights and fundamental freedoms at the heart of its concept of security.