The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Simon Coveney, Minister of Defense and of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland.

The Secretary-General and Minister Coveney discussed current challenges in international peacekeeping and the role of Ireland in peace operations. The Secretary-General thanked Ireland for its long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping. He paid special tribute to the almost 90 Irish peacekeepers who have lost their lives over the years serving the cause of peace and the dedication of Irish troops who continue to perform under challenging circumstances in places such as the Golan Heights.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Ireland's support of the partnership between the United Nations and the European Union on peacekeeping, as well as Ireland's commitment to promote greater training, recruitment and deployment of women soldiers and police in peacekeeping missions.

They also discussed growing migration flows through the Mediterranean and the need for a comprehensive, rights-based approach to this serious issue.