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Peace deal will be model for others The Irish Government
is to set-up a €25million-a-year conflict-resolution unit which will build
on the experiences of the peace deal in the North of Ireland.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said it would help nurture peaceful
solutions in international trouble spots.
The Minister said: “On our own island, many challenges remain
not least the need to deal with the scourge of sectarianism and to recognise
and address the needs of victims of The Troubles.
“Nonetheless across the globe Ireland as a whole is today renowned
not for conflict but for resolving conflict.
“The critical role of the international community cannot be emphasised
enough.
“The political, moral and material support we have received has
been invaluable.”
He said the government was committed to sharing our experiences so that
other countries and regions could benefit from the lessons Ireland had
learned.
“We must not forget that for decades peace seemed unobtainable here,”
he said.
“Just as our journey from famine to prosperity wrought a deep determination
in the Irish people to assist those afflicted by famine now our journey
from violence to peace makes us equally determined to assist those peoples
and nations gripped by conflict.
“To that end I believe Ireland must place conflict resolution at
the heart of its foreign policy in the years ahead alongside our existing
priorities.”
The new move will include an annual €25million fund to support conflict
resolution, the creation of an Academic Centre for Conflict Resolution
and a system of roving ambassadors.
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