Remarks at a Lunch hosted by President Mauricio Funes and Vanda Pignato,
San Salvador, 24th October 2013
Sr. Presidente de la República de El Salvador,
Doctora Vanda Pignato,
Distinguidos invitados, Damas y Caballeros,
Deseo agradecerles la cálida bienvenida que nos han brindado a mi esposa Sabina y a mí.
Esta mañana, el Presidene Funes y yo tuvimos una reunión muy estimulante. Hablamos sobre El Salvador e Irlanda, nuestras relaciones hasta la fecha y nuestra convicción compartida de que hay mucho más que podemos hacer juntos.
[Thank you for the very warm welcome which you have extended to me and my wife Sabina.
This morning President Funes and I enjoyed a stimulating meeting. We spoke of El Salvador and of Ireland, our relations to date and our shared conviction that we can do much more together.]
Presidente Funes, usted conoce mi profundo afecto por su país y su gente.
Me causa un enorme placer visitar El Salvador nuevamente, después de treinta años, y ver que su país se encuentra firmemente decidido a resolver los asuntos relacionados con el desarrollo económico y social por las vías pacíficas de la democracia representativa.
[President Funes, you know of my deep affection for your country and your people.
I am delighted to be again visiting El Salvador, after thirty years, and to see that your country is now so firmly committed to resolving issues of social and economic development through the peaceful means of representative democracy.]
I am deeply moved to be here in a context where I – as President of Ireland – am in a position to engage with you, with El Salvador’s National Assembly, and with a wide range of representatives from the civil society in a time free from war, a time marked by political stability, and the opening up of new horizons of economic opportunities.
Sr. Presidente, I would like, in particular, to commend you for your role in commemorating the civilians whose lives were cut short in the most brutal way during the past war. Your words in El Mozote, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Chapultetec peace accords, moved me profoundly. I regard the apology that you extended on behalf of the Salvadoran state to be a turning point in the journey towards truth. It is a moral gesture of immense significance.
We, Irish people, know very well from our own peace process in Northern Ireland, how important it is to reject amnesia about the past, how necessary it is for an enabling present and a common future to understand the tasks of ethical memory.
We in Ireland are also aware that redressing the consequences of conflict takes steady, careful work, involving as it does not only conflicting memories and narratives of the past, but also the necessity to deal with a legacy of material destruction, of economic marginalisation of certain social groups and communities.
I know, Sr. Presidente, that you attach priority to making progress on poverty reduction and the tackling of inequalities. I wish you and the people of El Salvador success in this important work of ensuring that all citizens, from all the regions in this country, can live a life free of violence and insecurity, can access public services, and can pursue educational and employment opportunities.
This morning we spoke of the challenges, but also the opportunities, facing our two countries. Both of our countries attach a clear priority to economic growth. We both also are called by our contemporary circumstances to share a commitment to what constitutes the biggest challenge, if we are to foster a thriving economy and society – namely the struggle against unemployment and, in particular, youth unemployment.
I salute your dedication to implementing policies and legislative safeguards that best support an environment that is conducive to sustainable, equitable growth.
Tomorrow, Ireland’s Honorary Consul, Roberto Murray Meza, is doing me the honour of hosting a lunch with a range of representatives from the business sector. May I avail of this opportunity, Sr Presidente, to thank Don Roberto sincerely for his most helpful service to Ireland as our Honorary Consul in El Salvador.
Ireland’s Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello TD, and I look forward to further rewarding conversations on themes such as how best to support economic growth and fight unemployment. Be assured of our proactive goodwill and assistance.
As well as looking forward to increased bilateral ties between Ireland and El Salvador, we also hope that such opportunities as may flow from the European Union-Central America Association Agreement can provide an effective platform from which to develop stronger multilateral links between our two regions. We are anxious to work together to ensure that this Association Agreement between our two regions supports meaningful connections, which have both economic and societal benefits.
Sr. Presidente, Doctora Pignato,
Quisiera agradecerles sinceramente la cálida recepción que nos brindaron hoy. Tengan la certeza de que sentimos un profundo afecto por El Salvador y por nuestras aspiraciones compartidas de seguir desarrollando los lazos que unen a nuestros países.
Con su permiso, Sr. Presidente, deseo proponer un brindis:
“Por el Presidente y el Pueblo de la República de El Salvador!”
Muchas gracias.
[Thank you most sincerely for the warmth of your reception today.