Vol. 524 No. 3
71 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the changes being considered in relation to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy in the upcoming Treaty of Nice; and the changes which may require a referendum here. [22189/00]
The main focus of the current intergovernmental conference has been on those institutional changes that are linked to future enlargement of the Union, the so-called Amsterdam leftovers, rather than in the area of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. However, changes to the treaty relating to the CFSP have been proposed in certain areas, and these are currently under discussion. The French presidency and other member states have proposed that flexibility be introduced into the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. Their intention is to make it possible for a number of member states to co-operate in the implementation of agreed policies. To date, however, the Government have not been convinced of the need for flexibility in this area. The value of the CFSP lies in the fact that it represents the common foreign and security policy of all 15 member states. The debate has still some way to go and some issues remain to be clarified.
There is also some uncertainty regarding the possible need for treaty amendment in the area of European security and defence policy. There was no agreement at the Feira European Council on this issue and the council indicated that the issue of treaty revision in this connection would continue to be examined between the Feira and Nice European Councils.
Proposals for some technical treaty changes in relation to European security and defence policy have recently been made and the issue remains under discussion. However, the advocates of treaty change in this context remain in a minority and there is a strong view that treaty amendments in this area at Nice are not necessary.
Question No. 72 taken with Question No. 39.
