Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 8

Written Answers. - EU Envoy to Middle East.

John O'Leary

Question:

18 Mr. O'Leary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether plans will proceed to appoint a special EU envoy to the Middle East in view of recent statements by the Israeli Government with regard to EU involvement in the Israeli/Palestinian situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20061/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Special European Council in Dublin on 5 October instructed the General Affairs Council, at its meeting on 28-29 October, to consider a mandate for the position of a European Union envoy to the Middle East. At its meeting in Luxembourg on 28 October, the Council appointed a Spanish diplomat, Mr. Miguel-Angel Moratinos, as EU Envoy to the Middle East.

Mr. Moratinos has wide experience of the region and is well respected by all parties. He served for many years as Director of Middle East Affairs in the Spanish Foreign Ministry and in that capacity was deeply involved in the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference, and subsequent work on the Middle East peace process. He is currently Spanish ambassador to Israel.

The Union has given Mr. Moratinos a wide-ranging mandate. His role will be to establish and maintain close contact with all parties to the peace process, other countries of the region, the United States and relevant international organisations in order to work with them in strengthening the peace process. He will observe peace negotiations between the parties and be ready to offer the EU's advice and good offices should the parties request this. On behalf of the Union he will also monitor actions by either side which might prejudice the outcome of the Permanent Status Negotiations. Where requested, the envoy will contribute to the implementation of international agreements reached between parties and will engage with them diplomatically in the event of noncompliance with the terms of these agreements.

Within the framework of the peace process the envoy will engage constructively with signatories to agreements in order to promote compliance with the basic norms of democracy, including respect for human rights and the rule of law. Mr. Moratinos will report to the Union on the possibilities for EU interventions in the peace process and on the best way of pursuing EU initiatives and ongoing Middle East peace process-related EU business, including the political aspects of relevant EU development projects.