Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 2

Written Answers. - Malta Ministerial Meeting.

Ray Burke

Question:

37 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress of preparations for the forthcoming Malta conference in the framework of the Barcelona process; and if he will give details of the agenda for the conference. [6591/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Preparations for the follow-up conference to the Barcelona ministerial meeting which inaugurated the Euro-Mediterranean partnership are being conducted in accordance with the follow-up provisions of the Barcelona declaration, by the Euro-Mediterranean Committee for the Barcelona process. The committee meets at senior official level and comprises the European Union Troika, including, at present, a representative from Ireland, and one representative of each of the Union's 12 Mediterranean partners. In the context of preparations for the Malta ministerial meeting, the committee takes stock of and evaluates the follow-up to the Barcelona process and all its components and updates the work programme agreed at Barcelona.

As foreseen in the Barcelona declaration, the Euro-Mediterranean committee for the Barcelona process has met regularly and preparations for the Malta ministerial meeting are now at an advanced stage. At its most recent meeting on 24 and 25 February, the General Affairs Council of the European Union heard a report from the Presidency and the European Commission on the preparations and organization of the Malta meeting. The GAC, also, reiterated the Union's commitment to the establishment of a network of bilateral association agreements with its Mediterranean partners. In this connection the GAC welcomed the signature of the Interim Association Agreement with the PLO and underlined its determination to conclude the negotiations with Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as soon as possible.

While the precise agenda for the meeting has yet to be set, the meeting at Malta will take stock of progress in Euro-Mediterranean partnership and will set priorities for the future. It is anticipated that Ministers for Foreign Affairs will adopt conclusions which reflect their wish to see the balanced development of the partnership through the gradual implementation of all three chapters of the Barcelona declaration, i.e. the political and security partnership, the economic and financial partnership, and the partnership in social, cultural and human affairs. The importance which the Council of Ministers attached to the Malta meeting in this context was underlined at the meeting of the General Affairs Council referred to.