Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 7

Written Answers. - Central American Policy.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

16 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, the international community have to provide development policies in Central America following numerous civil wars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4860/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The countries of Central American have consistently emphasised the importance of the role played by the international community in supporting the economic development of the region and in promoting its peace, freedom and democracy.

The United Nations has strongly supported the countries of Central America in their efforts to consolidate democracy and development. Through its operational activities and specialised agencies, UN efforts are concentrated in the fields of poverty alleviation, economic reform and public sector policies and management, assistance to refugees, the strengthening of democratic institutions, environmental protection, population related programmes and natural disaster prevention and rehabilitation.

Co-operation between the European Union and the countries of Central America takes place in the framework of the San José dialogue. This political and economic dialogue was born out of a ministerial meeting in the capital of Costa Rica in September 1984 and was institutionalised at a conference in Luxembourg in November 1985. A co-operation agreement providing for economic and development co-operation was agreed at the Luxembourg conference and entered into force on 1 March 1987. Over the past ten years, the increasing volume of Community aid has made the European Community the main donor in Central America. Total commitments have significantly exceeded one billion ECU and annual commitments in 1994 amounted to 170 million ECU.

A more ambitious co-operation agreement covering a wider range of co-operation sectors and incorporating human rights and future development clauses was signed in El Salvador in February 1993. This however, has not yet entered into force as it has not to date been ratified by all Central American countries.

The partners in the San José dialogue have now agreed to continue the deepening and enhancing of their relations so as to meet new challenges and priorities. The forthcoming San José ministerial meeting in Florence later this month will review the entire San José process with a view to reformulating the dialogue's basic objectives, refocusing co-operation and reforming its procedures.

The economic contribution of the wider international community to the peace process in Central America was considered at consultative groups meetings in Paris in June 1995 organised by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the World Bank. At these meetings, representatives of the international financial institutions and donor countries committed more than $3 billion to Central American countries for economic reconstruction and development over the period 1995-97.

In respect of Irish assistance, Irish Aid is currently providing funds in support of the Nicaraguan Centre for Development Studies (CEI). This centre provides courses on negotiating techniques, mediation, human rights and constitutional law. Additional aid to projects in Central American countries is provided through Irish Aid's NGO co-financing scheme.