asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the Government were not represented at the second round of ministerial talks in the Lomé IV negotiations in Brazzaville in February 1989, in view of the importance of these talks at a period of worsening crisis in the developing world; and if he will make a statement on the Government's input and priorities in the current round of Lomé discussions, especially in view of the impending Irish Presidency of the EC at the concluding stages.
Written Answers. - Lomé Discussions.
50.
Ireland was represented at senior official level at the ACP-EC ministerial negotiating session in Brazzaville on 16 and 17 February 1989. A number of member states were represented at a similar level. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sean Calleary TD had made arrangements to attend the meeting. However, his attendance with the President at the obsequies of the late Emperor of Japan at that time made it impossible for him to take part in the Brazzaville negotiating session.
This meeting was one stage in a lengthy negotiating process aimed at replacing the current Lomé Convention which is due to expire in February 1990. The discussions were intended to further the process of clarifying and defining the key areas of negotiation. We are satisfied that these objectives were achieved. It is hoped by both sides that the negotiations will be completed by the end of the year.
It is the Commission which conducts the negotiations with the ACP countries, in consultation with the member states and in accordance with the negotiating mandate agreed by the Council in October 1988.
Ireland's special concerns in the negotiations within the Twelve leading up to the adoption of the mandate were: to take greater account of the needs of the least developed countries; to enhance the role of women in development; to stress the importance of protecting the most vulnerable sections of society in those countries undertaking economic reform, particularly in the areas of primary education, public health and the like; and to ensure that Community efforts in the future Convention to assist countries undertaking economic reforms will not be limited only to those countries formally linked to IMF/World Bank structural adjustment programmes.
These concerns have been reflected in the negotiating mandate and will continue to be pursued by us.