Connolly says human rights must guide response to crises

President Catherine Connolly has told a meeting with 11 other European presidents that "human dignity, equality, and human rights" must guide how the European Union responds to crises like climate change and war.

President Connolly has attended her first ‘Arraiolos Group’ meeting of non-executive Heads of State from across Europe at the Brdo Estate outside Ljubljana, Slovenia.

During her speech, President Connolly posed a number of questions to her counterparts.

"Can we credibly talk about peace, progress and security while at the same time tolerating the normalisation of war and genocide?" she asked.

"Can we address the existential threat posed by climate change, deepening inequality and the increasing number of people living in poverty, while simultaneously believing that we can continue with business as usual?

"Can we expect or deserve to retain credibility when our responses to these challenges, and to the abuse of power, are manifestly inconsistent?"

President Connolly said that Ireland’s experience as an "independent, neutral, post-colonial country that knows first-hand the experience of starvation, emigration and conflict" shows that long-lasting conflict resolution can only happen with "peaceful, dedicated and meticulous negotiations".

Ahead of the meeting, President Connolly said that she believes this is a "pivotal stage in our world" and that nations should reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘The European Union in an Age of Multiple Crises: Between Retreat and Resilience’.

The meeting is also attended by the presidents of Austria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.

President Connolly engaged in bilateral meetings with the presidents of Slovenia and Portugal this afternoon.

This evening, she will attend a reception with members of the Irish community and affinity diaspora in Slovenia hosted in their honour by the Irish Ambassador to Slovenia, H.E. Caroline Phelan.