asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to express any views at the UN regarding increased cultural co-operation involving the free movement of people and ideas between East and West.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East-West Relations.
87.
I have not as yet decided what matters I will touch on in the general debate at the session of the United Nations General Assembly in the autumn.
I might mention, however, that the subject to which the Deputy refers will be discussed at the Conference on Security and Co-operaton in Europe, the first phase of which, at the level of Foreign Ministers, will open in Helsinki on 3rd July of this year.
88.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is engaged in consultation within the Council of Europe on the development of East-West relations.
89.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any proposals for the co-ordination of policy amongst the Council of Europe States in preparation for a conference on security and co-operation in Europe.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
East-West relations, including preparations for the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, have been discussed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe during recent sessions including their last session in May, 1973, at which I was represented by the Attorney-General as I had to be simultaneously present in Brussels at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Consultative Assembly have proposed that the Committee of Ministers promote the co-ordination of policies of member States in preparation for the conference. This proposal is under consideration.
Would the Minister consider it a useful exercise to brief the Irish delegates to the Council of Europe, both Government and Opposition, on this matter before the next session of the Council in September?
Yes, certainly, I shall always be happy to provide such briefing in cases where they feel it might be a help.
90.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any plans to establish further co-operation with Eastern European States in certain Council of Europe activities, for instance, conventions and technical and inter-governmental work.
There are no formal plans for further co-operation between Eastern European States and the Council of Europe.
A number of international conventions elaborated by the Council are open to signature by non-member countries. Eastern European countries have evinced no interest in becoming party to them.
On occasion, Eastern European countries have been invited to participate in specialised or technical conferences organised by the Council of Europe but to date the response has been minimal.