Seymour Crawford
Ceist:53 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the EU GAERC has considered the political situation in Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30398/03]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
On 8 December 2003, my colleagues and I on the General Affairs and External Relations Council, or GAERC, discussed the current political situation in Georgia. The current political crisis is a testing time for democracy, the rule of law and the state institutions there. My colleagues and I expressed our commitment to supporting Georgia through this crisis, and our concern to ensure political and economic reform. We reaffirmed that the European Union attached high priority to the region.
In the December 2003 GAERC conclusions on Georgia, the Union reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity and national unity of Georgia, and underlined the importance of maintaining stability in the south Caucasus region. We underlined the Union's support for the interim political leadership, and called on all parties to ensure continued calm, particularly in the run-up to coming elections and beyond. We underlined our expectation that the 4 January 2004 presidential election would be free and fair. Finally, we called for significant efforts to tackle corruption, to reform state structures, and to implement other urgently needed reforms.
The European Union's support for Georgia will be practical as well as political. The European Commission has pledged to give €2 million in aid to the electoral process in Georgia, and a further €5 million in aid for Georgia which was planned under the food security programme will be disbursed at an accelerated rate.
Ireland is determined to engage with and support the democratic process in Georgia. During Ireland's Presidency, we will work with Secretary General and high representative, Mr. Solana, with our EU partners, and, of course, with the European Union's special representative for the southern Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, to support the Georgian people at this pivotal moment for the country. As a signal of Ireland's full support for democracy in Georgia, the Government has pledged €100,000 to support a free and fair presidential election on 4 January. Ireland will also send four short-term observers to monitor the presidential election.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:54 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of countries, both EU and non-EU, that are involved in peacekeeping missions in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; if Ireland was requested to participate in those activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30397/03]
Since March 2003, the EU has conducted a military monitoring and stabilisation mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or FYROM, known as "Operation Concordia". In parallel with the conclusion of Operation Concordia on 15 December, and at the invitation of the FYROM authorities, a further EU police mission, "Operation Proxima", will commence. Specific objectives for proxima will include support for the consolidation of law and order, the reform of the Ministry of the Interior and the creation of a border police force in FYROM through monitoring, mentoring and provision of advice to national authorities.
In each case, contributions of personnel were invited from all EU member states and from several non-EU member states. Ireland's replies to those specific invitations have been primarily a matter for the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform respectively. In the case of Operation Concordia, 13 EU member states and 14 non-EU member states, comprising accession states, candidate states and non-EU members of NATO, have participated. Ireland did not participate owing to legal advice supplied by the Attorney General which indicated that the particular expression of UN endorsement for the operation as set out in Security Council Resolution No. 1371 does not fully meet the requirements specified in the Defence Acts for participation in missions abroad by Irish Defence Forces personnel.
As regards Operation Proxima, final figures remain unavailable at present, but current indications are that the majority of EU member states and acceding states will be participating. As regards Irish participation, the Garda authorities have assigned one officer to the planning of the operation.
Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 8.