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Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade to attend French Middle East Peace Conference
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, is in Paris today for a Conference aimed at injecting new momentum into the stalled Middle East Peace Process.
The Conference is initiated, organised and hosted by the French Government.
Speaking ahead of the Conference, Minister Flanagan said:
“I am honoured that Ireland has been invited to participate in the French Conference.
"This is a recognition of Ireland’s serious and constructive engagement with this issue – not just by this Government but by successive Governments.
"That engagement is, in turn, a reflection of the abiding interest of the Irish public in the Middle East Peace Process.
"There is no status quo in the Middle East Peace Process – standing still is going backwards.
"I commend the French Government, in particular President Francois Hollande, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and his predecessor, Laurent Fabius, for their leadership in taking on this most difficult issue.
"I will work to support their efforts to bring the international community together in a concerted effort to move the peace process forward.
"Ultimately a solution must come from negotiations between the two parties. However, as we know from our own experience on this island, international support can be an indispensable ingredient in achieving a lasting peace”.