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The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, this weekend attended the Informal Ministerial held in Sofia. The meeting was hosted by Bulgaria who currently hold the Presidency of the EU.  The meetings dealt with a range of ongoing developments in relation to the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).  The agenda included discussions on the implementation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the governance rules for PESCO projects.  This was followed by a discussion on crisis management in light of present security challenges and the role of the EU in support of international peace and security. 

Minister Kehoe commented that

The EU has an important role to play in responding to international crises, particularly humanitarian crises. We will continue to explore possibilities for an effective and joined up approach to crisis management.

 Commenting on the PESCO initiative, Minister Kehoe stated that:

PESCO will contribute to improve the capacity of the EU and Member States to support international peace and security, and crisis management, both as EU and as troop contributors on UN mandated missions.  The establishment of PESCO is seen at EU level as a political demonstration of unity, inclusivity and continuing ambition to provide global leadership and foster regional peace and stability.  

Concluding, the Minister said:

Ireland has, and continues to be a major contributor to EU operations and participates actively in all aspects of CSDP.  We plan to remain at the centre of CSDP developments.