John Bruton
Question:2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to meet the Hungarian Prime Minister in regard to that country's application to join the European Union.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hungarian/Cypriot EU Membership Application.
John Bruton
Question:3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to meet the Cypriot Prime Minister.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
Ireland maintains close contact with both Hungary and Cyprus, although there are no immediate plans for meetings at Prime Ministerial level. I had intended to make an official visit to Hungary in October 1993, but the visit had, sadly, to be postponed because of the ill-health of the then Prime Minister, the late Mr. Jozsef Antall. The President visited Hungary in November 1993, while recent ministerial visits included visits by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in March 1993; the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, in December 1993; the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and the Minister for Enterprise and Employment in March of this year. There have been regular contacts with Cyprus at Foreign Minister level in recent years, including in New York last September.
These contacts are of course supplemented by the normal ongoing bilateral contacts at diplomatic level between Ireland and the countries in question.
Is the Taoiseach in favour of Hungarian and Cypriot membership of the European Union?
The Irish view, and indeed the view of Community members, is that we should expand the Community, accept members from central and eastern Europe as soon as their economies have reached a state which would enable them become full members and in the meantime maintain close contact with those countries and give them every assistance possible to become market economies.
Has the Taoiseach given consideration to how far east the Community should go? For example, does he believe that countries of the CIS or former USSR are eligible for membership? Are the entry criteria for the European Union solely economic or are geographical considerations also borne in mind?
The questions deal with Hungary and Cyprus.
What are the economic criteria on which the Taoiseach would be able to decide on membership of Hungary and Cyprus?
The Deputy is well aware of the criteria and process involved in this regard. It is the general view of all members, including Ireland, that new members should be accepted, but I am sure the Deputy would agree that many states are not in a position to apply for full membership and it will be a long time before some of them are in that position. In the meantime, the Community is committed to giving them maximum support and assistance to help them along the way because it is in the interests of the Community that Europe is solidified as much as possible and that the uncertainty and instability which exists is removed as soon as possible. Nevertheless, it is pointless talking about accepting new members that are not yet ready to become full members, but the Community is always anxious to sign trade related agreements with such countries to assist them along the way.
Does the Taoiseach consider the present position in northern Cyprus and the possible relations with Turkey an obstacle to Cypriot membership?
We are having an extension of the question.
This matter is strictly related to Question No.3.
This is a separate question. Nevertheless, I am sure Members will agree that every effort should be made to resolve the problems in northern Cyprus, but the Deputy is well aware that the Community will not get involved in that area at present.