I intend to take Questions Nos. 5 and 91 together.
The provisions on Common Foreign and Security Policy contained in Title V of the Maastricht Treaty are designed to strengthen the role of the European Union on foreign and security issues and enhance its capacity to participate in international affairs.
The Title describes the objectives of the common foreign and security policy; it strengthens the procedures for "systematic co-operation" between the member states on international issues; it develops the concept of "joint action" by the European Union; it defines the scope of the activities of the union in the security field; and it establises the institutional procedures for the CFSP.
In relation to the specific articles mentioned by the Deputy, Article J3 of the Treaty deals with the procedures to be followed in deciding on joint action by the union on international questions. The European Council will set out the general guidelines and the Council of Foreign Ministers will decide on the scope, objectives and duration of the joint action. It should be noted that issues with defence implications are specifically excluded from the scope of joint action which will embrace diplomatic political and economic means. An example of the kinds of issues that will be covered by joint action are the Community's attempts to resolve the Yugoslav crisis, which involve the establishment of a peace conference, negotiated ceasefires, and a monitor mission to oversee the ceasefires.
Article J4 deals with security matters. It defines the scope of the CFSP as including all questions related to security. It makes clear the respective roles of the European Union and of the Western European Union on security and defence issues, and it provides for another intergovernmental conference in 1996 to consider the eventual framing of a common defence policy. It also ensures that the specific character of Ireland's security and defence policies will not be prejudiced by decisions and actions of the union. The question of the relationship between the European Union and the Western European Union has not been discussed in the Council of Ministers since the Maastricht European Council.
Article J5 provides for representation by the union in international organisations and at international conferences. The Presidency will present the union's position at such meetings and speak on behalf of the union. This of course, does not take from the right of member states to be represented in international organisations and conferences and to speak on questions arising. This article also provides for the first time that member states which are members of the UN Security Council will concert and keep the other member states fully informed on issues before the Council. The permanent members, France and the UK, will ensure the defence of the positions and interests of the union in the Security Council.
Article J8 contains certain institutional provisions. It provides that the European Council will define the principles and general guidelines for the CFSP, and that the Council of Foreign Ministers will take the decisions for defining and implementing the CFSP. It provides for the general rule that the Council will act unanimously on CFSP questions. And it gives to the Commission the same rights as member states to refer questions and make proposals to the Council.
Article 4 of the European Community Treaty to which the Deputy refers provides for the institutions of the Economic Community — that is the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors. Although there is no direct relationship between this article and the separate provisions on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Council and the Commission and the Parliament all have specific responsibilities under the Common Foreign Policy Title which they exercise in accordance with that Title. The Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors are not given specific roles in relation to the CFSP.
I believe the European Union will have an important role to play in promoting world peace. Indeed among the specific objectives contained in the new Treaty are the preservation of peace, the promotion of international co-operation, the development of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The Twelve have already been active in these areas as our initiatives on such questions as Yugoslavia and the Middle East, and at the UN on arms control show. I believe that the new mechanisms of the CFSP together with the great changes in recent years in international life provide an unprecedented opportunity to achieve many of the goals that Ireland has sought in international affairs. We will be pursuing these actively with our partners under the common foreign and security policy.
