Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Talks with Russia.

Ray Burke

Question:

8 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature and extent of the talks he had recently with EU and Russian officials; and the implications, if any, of the Russian President's current state of ill health for the EU and Ireland. [17468/96]

Ray Burke

Question:

13 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of his discussions with the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Primakov; and his views on the enhanced role that Russia wishes to see for the organisation of security and co-operation in Europe. [17473/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 13 together.

The current practice in EU-Russia relations in the area of political dialogue is to hold a ministerial level meeting twice a year, one under each EU Presidency. In this context, I hosted a meeting in New York on 24 September of EU Foreign Ministers and the Commission with Foreign Minister Primakov. Discussions were wide-ranging and included issues relating to EU-Russia relations, European Security Architecture and Bosnia. F M Primakov expressed himself generally satisfied with Russia's relations with the European Union and with the co-operation on political issues. He described Russia's interest in closer relations with the EU, particularly the entry into force of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) at the earliest possible date. In this connection, the Presidency noted that Ireland has completed its internal procedures for ratification of the PCA.

Both sides agreed on the importance of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, both in relation to the developing European Security Architecture and in the context of the peace implementation process in Bosnia. Russia and Ireland, together with our EU partners, share the view that the OSCE, based on its comprehensive, inclusive and co-operative concept of security has an essential role to play in enhancing European security and stability. It is envisaged that this OSCE role will be further developed in co-operation with the other security organisations, including, in addition to the EU, NATO, Western European Union and the Council of Europe amongst other regional and sub-regional organisations. This will give further expression to the concept of mutually reinforcing institutions adopted by the OSCE at its Summit in Helsinki in 1992. In relation to Bosnia, there was a shared concern by the two sides about the difficulties of the task ahead and the need for close co-operation to promote a successful conclusion of the electoral process and the consolidation of democratic infrastructure.

With regard to President Yeltsin's health the European Union noted that the President was expected to undergo surgery within approximately six to eight weeks, and conveyed the Union's best wishes for his speedy recovery. The Union also noted the arrangements which the President has put in place for the temporary transfer of power to Prime Minister Chernomyrdin. These include measures already in place which provide for co-ordination under Prime Minister Chernomyrdin of a number of key ministeries (Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Security Services). In addition, on 19 September, President Yeltsin issued a decreee announcing that he would hand over all powers to the Prime Minister, including control of nuclear forces, for the period of the heart operation. This would be done by a further decree issued just before the operation. He would then issue a further decree revoking the transfer, after the operation had been completed. These arrangements are intended to provide for both transparency and continuity in decision-making and to enable the conduct of business with Russia to continue as usual, including in the area of EU-Russia relations.