Seán Ryan
Question:104 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with other EU Foreign Ministers during the recent EU Spring Summit in Brussels. [9866/03]
Written Answers. - EU Summits.
As the Deputy is aware, the Taoiseach reported fully to the Dáil on 25 March 2003 on the outcome of the recent European Council in Brussels and I participated in the debate that followed. Most of the discussions in Brussels took place at the European Council itself and focused principally on the Lisbon strategy which is designed to enable the Union to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010.
The European Council reaffirmed the commitment of the EU to the territorial integrity, the sovereignty, the political stability and the full and effective disarmament of Iraq in all its territory. It expressed its continued support for the UN system and for the UN Secretary Generals proposal to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people through the "Oil for Food" programme and committed itself to active involvement in assisting with the humanitarian issue.
The European Council gave particular attention to the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and adopted conclusions on the matter. It reiterated its commitment to the vision of two states living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the 1967 borders. It welcomed the announcement by President Bush that he wishes to see the Quartet road map for a Palestinian state presented to the parties after the confirmation of the new Palestinian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas. Israel's policy of illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip constitute a significant obstacle to peace. The Council emphasised this and called for a reversal of Israeli policy.
Discussions also took place on the role the EU could play in achieving a comprehensive, multilateral solution to the current crisis concerning the DPRK. The European Council agreed in its conclusions to call on North Korea to abstain from any action which could aggravate the situation further, and to reaffirm that North Korea's non-compliance with its international obligations in the field of nuclear weapons is a serious concern for the whole of the international community, and is detrimental to its own interests. The conclusions reaffirm the Council's willingness to contribute to a diplomatic solution of the crisis. My EU colleagues and I will have further discussions on this matter at the GAERC on 14 April.
The Council discussed the situation in the western Balkans following the tragic assassination on 12 March of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Zoran Djindjic. It welcomed the commitment of the new Prime Minister, Zoran Zivkovic, to press ahead with the reform process in Serbia and expressed the full support of the EU for the new political leadership in implementing the reforms required for the development of closer relations between Serbia and Montenegro and the EU. The Council asked High Representative Solana and Commissioner Patten to draw up concrete proposals for EU support for the reform process, and these will be considered at the next meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 14 April. The central role of the EU in promoting the development of stability, democracy and economic progress in the region will be reaffirmed at the forthcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit, in Thessaloniki on 21 June.
The European Council also considered the question of Cyprus, in the light of the failure of UN-sponsored talks in the Hague on 11 March. It expressed the strong support of the EU for the continuation of the mission of good offices of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and urged all parties to commit themselves to working for a just and viable comprehensive settlement. In particular, the Council called on the Turkish Cypriot leadership to reconsider its position. The Council reaffirmed the decision of the Copenhagen Euro pean Council in December 2002 regarding the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. As a result, the Republic of Cyprus will sign the Treaty of Accession on 16 April. The application of the laws and regulations of the Union to the northern part of the island will be suspended.