Willie Penrose
Question:42 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, he has made in negotiations on the Euro-Mediterranean agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18102/97]
Written Answers. - Euro-Mediterranean Agreements.
To date, the EU and its members states have signed Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements with Tunisia, Israel and Morocco. These were signed in July 1995, November 1995 and February 1996 respectively. An Interim Association Agreement between the European Community and the Palestinian Authority was signed in December 1996. Major progress was made recently in negotiations with Jordan. Previous difficulties regarding the possible adjustment of tariff quotas for certain agricultural produce have been resolved and negotiations on the agreement are now complete.
Negotiations with Egypt are ongoing. Technical discussions take place on a regular basis and I hope that negotiations can be brought to a successful conclusion at the earliest possible date. Negotiations with Lebanon are continuing smoothly and are now close to conclusion. A negotiating mandate for an agreement with Algeria was approved by Council in June 1996 and the draft text of an agreement was circulated in May 1997. Discussions will continue on the basis of this draft, although the current situation in Algeria has made progress somewhat limited. Exploratory talks between the EU and Syria have taken place on the subject of an eventual agreement. It is expected that a negotiating mandate will be finalised with the Commission by the end of this year.
Ireland supports the conclusion of the Euro-Mediterranean agreements with each of the partners concerned in the interests of economic relations generally and in the wider context of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the Middle East Peace Process. We will continue to monitor the situation — in consultation with our EU partners - with this in view. We are also conscious of the need to make progress in the completion of bilateral agreements with the Mediterranean partners with a view to the creation of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010, as foreseen in the Barcelona Declaration.