Vol. 498 No. 4
15 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has progressed proposals which seek the creation of a Dublin based European-North American, transatlantic foundation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27725/98]
I have read with interest the policy document prepared by Deputy Mitchell's party which proposes the establishment in Dublin of a foundation for transatlantic co-operation.
I thank the Deputy for his courtesy in bringing this document to my attention. He will recall that, in supplementary exchanges following my reply to his parliamentary question about EU-North American relations on 5 November, I gave him my preliminary reaction to the document, saying in effect that there was a great deal of merit in the proposal and that the location of such a foundation in Ireland would be advantageous.
In view of the importance I attach to relations between Europe and North America, I am glad to have the opportunity today to comment further on the proposal. Any serious proposals designed to strengthen the crucially important relationships between Europe and North America are worthy of close consideration. One of my priorities as Minister for Foreign Affairs is to ensure that co-operation between Europe and the USA and Europe and Canada is reinforced and further developed. To that end, and in close consultation with our EU partners, we will continue to be engaged in the ongoing transatlantic dialogue in an active and constructive manner.
The Deputy will be aware that there already exists a number of frameworks within which EU-North American relations are conducted, for example, the Transatlantic Economic Partnership and its associated Joint Action Plan which aims to accelerate economic growth through the reduction of technical barriers to trade, services and investment between the EU and USA. There is a Joint EU-Canada Declaration and Action Plan which covers, among other issues, economic and trade relations. Regular summit meetings between the EU and Canada and the EU and the USA are a distinctive feature of the strong relationships involved. The next summits will be held in Ottawa on 17 December and in Washington on the following day. The document provides a useful summary guide to these framework arrangements.
If the document helps to stimulate a greater public awareness of the importance of the transatlantic relationship as I believe it will, it will have made a worthwhile contribution to discussion of this question. While I share the general aim inspiring the proposal, I feel sure the Deputy will understand that any new institution such as the proposed foundation should not duplicate the existing frameworks which already provide valuable channels for further developing the transatlantic dialogue. Ireland is and will remain closely involved in promoting that dialogue through the EU agencies responsible for its conduct. The proposal also contains significant financial implications which would have to assessed with care. One would need to be fully satisfied with regard to both of these factors if the proposed project were to be effectively advanced.
I thank the Minister for his response to the policy proposal I have put forward seeking the creation of a foundation for transatlantic co-operation to be located in Dublin. The Minister will be aware that recent trade statistics show the continuing central importance of EU-US economic relations. For example, two way trade represents about one-fifth of each others total in terms of goods and one-third in terms of services. Furthermore, the US and the EU account for approximately half of the others foreign direct investment abroad. The case is established for enhancing EU-US relations. Does the Minister agree that given the pending enlargement of the EU Ireland's position will become effectively even more peripheral, that in terms of EU-US and EU-Canada development we will be centre stage, and that we should seek the creation of this foundation, located in Dublin, with a European — hopefully Irish — secretary general——
The Deputy is continuing with a statement. He should put a question to the Minister.
——and with a North American president, that this would enhance our prestige and that it is something we can do without reference to anybody? Does the Minister agree we should seize this initiative for the prestige of the country and so that we can build on the influence we already have with the US and Canada and at the same time enhance our continued role in the EU?
The Deputy's idea is good but its time has not yet arrived. The essential thrust of the document is to promote closer transatlantic co-operation. This is consistent with the policies of the Deputy's party and of Fianna Fáil. The document presents the case for Ireland, in terms of its 25 years experience in the EU and its close ties with North America, as a location for the further promotion of EU-North American relations. It contains a useful if necessarily brief summary of the existing network of transatlantic relations, but the key element is the proposal to establish in Dublin a foundation for transatlantic co-operation. The document views such a foundation as operating hand in glove with existing agencies. Its remit would be to promote political, cultural, business, trade union, religious and other understanding and co-operation between the two continents. However, there are difficulties with the proposals. While I am advised that cost would be a difficulty I do not see it as such. An annual amount of £500,000 is a great deal of money for me or the Deputy, but in terms of the country's overall net worth it is not a huge sum of money.
