The FINANCIAL -- The Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna for the first time in his role as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, according to OSCE.
Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore emphasised the need for the OSCE’s co-operative, inclusive approach in tackling modern security challenges.Presenting Ireland’s priorities for 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore said the Chairmanship would maintain a balanced approach in addressing the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions of security.
Emphasizing that “the continuing threat to fundamental freedoms and human rights in a number of OSCE participating States is a cause of real concern,” Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore said that the full implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments by OSCE participating States is a top priority. A specific area of focus during the Irish Chairmanship will be the importance of protecting freedom of expression in the digital age, and working with civil society organizations and business to safeguard these freedoms online.
Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore stressed the need to “chart a path in the politico-military dimension”, and said the Irish Chair would focus on the areas of arms control, conflict prevention and resolution, and transnational threats.
A further priority for Ireland will be to seek ways to make progress towards lasting settlements of protracted conflicts in the OSCE area. Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore welcomed the resumption of the official 5+2 talks in the Transdniestrian settlement process, and offered his full support for the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to address the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and for the Geneva Discussions dealing with the August 2008 conflict in Georgia.In the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE’s work, Ireland will promote security and stability through good governance, with a particular focus on measures to counter corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Permanent Council is one of the OSCE's main regular decision-making bodies. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make decisions. The Deputy Prime Minister also appointed the Special and Personal Representatives of the Chairperson in Office for 2012.
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