Bernard Allen
Question:15 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the help his Department have given to the former states of the USSR so that they may reconstruct their agricultural sector.
Written Answers. - Aid to USSR Countries.
The Department have been actively involved in the drawing up of the technical assistance programme which the European Community has established for the states of the former Soviet Union. Food production and distribution are among the priorities set out in this programme. The funds involved are substantial: 400 million ECU (£307 million approximately) were set aside in 1991 and 450 million ECU (£345 million approximately) in 1992. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to which Ireland contributes has a significant technical assistance programme for the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Department have also drawn the attention of the relevant authorities to the expertise which Irish State and private sector companies can offer. Assistance has been given by the Department and by the Embassy in Moscow to companies seeking to make contacts in the CIS and to develop projects there. My colleague the Minister of State for Trade and Marketing last week led a business delegation to the Russian Federation which included organisations involved in the agricultural sector and it would be my intention to accept an invitation to visit Russia in the near future.