FORMER TÁNAISTE AND Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore has been appointed European Union envoy for the peace process in Colombia.
EU foreign police chief Federica Mogherini made the announcement in a statement this evening, calling the former Labour leader an “ideal envoy.”
Mr Gilmore’s direct involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process makes him an ideal envoy.
It is a signal to the Colombians that the EU is standing by their efforts to put an end to one of the longest running and most murderous conflicts in the world.
This is a unique opportunity that must not be lost.
Gilmore has been a TD for Dún Laoghaire since 1989, but announced in June that would not be contesting the next general election.
According to tonight’s announcement, the 60-year-old originally from East Galway, will take up the role “as soon as the relevant internal and inter-institutional procedures have been completed.”
His successor as Foreign Affairs Minister, Charlie Flanagan, tonight wished him “every success.”
Eamon’s appointment comes as the parties to the Colombian Peace Talks have announced a breakthrough on the road to a final peace agreement which aims to bring an end to a conflict that has endured for over 50 years at enormous human cost.
I wish Eamon every success in the important task of spearheading the EU’s support for Colombia’s efforts to build a lasting peace for the benefit of all its people.
His party colleague, Seán Sherlock, called Gilmore an “astute negotiator” in a statement tonight:
As leader of the Labour Party he restored the international reputation of Ireland following our economic collapse, at a time when foreign direct investment had all but dried up.
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