Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 5

Written Answers. - Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

John Gormley

Question:

178 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the input of the Government in the elaboration of the common strategy of the European Union on the Mediterranean region at the European Council at Santa da Feira, Portugal, on 19 and 20 June 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25740/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The EU Common Strategy on the Mediterranean, which builds upon the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, seeks to support the efforts of Mediterranean partners to attain the goals agreed under the Barcelona Declaration which was adopted by the Foreign Ministers of the EU member states and Mediterranean partners at the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference on 28 November 1995. Under the strategy, the EU will work to develop good relations in the region; improve prosperity and eliminate poverty; promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, good governance and the rule of law; promote cultural and religious tolerance; and develop co-operation with civil society, including NGOs.

Ireland strongly supports the common strategy and together with our EU partners sees the promotion of a prosperous, democratic, stable and secure Mediterranean region as being in the best interests of the EU as well as of its Mediterranean partners, and as an important aspect of EU policy.

Ireland worked closely with EU partners on the elaboration of the common strategy which situates the EU's undertakings in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in an overall policy framework. In particular, we sought throughout to ensure that the strategy was coherent and comprehensive in setting out an EU vision for the region, together with areas of action and specific initiatives which would enhance existing EU relations with the countries of the region.

John Gormley

Question:

179 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the Government's position on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in respect of the Marseille Summit on 13 and 14 November 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25741/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership meeting at Foreign Minister level in Marseilles on 15 and 16 November will continue the work of developing and strengthening the partnership, following on from the Stuttgart ministerial conference last year which called for the elaboration of a Charter on Peace and Stability in the Mediterranean region. I will attend this meeting.

The intention is to negotiate an evolving framework agreement to enhance the implementation of the Barcelona Declaration for the purpose of avoiding tensions and crises and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region. In discussions on the charter, Ireland has sought to maintain a strong focus on human rights and the promotion of the role of civil society.

It had been hoped that the charter would be adopted at a summit to be held in Marseilles on 17 November. However, while significant work on the charter has proceeded, the current situation in the Middle East has caused some of our Mediterranean partners to delay its adoption at this time.

Ireland places a high value on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership as a gradually evolving forum for the cultivation of regional stability, prosperity and inter-cultural harmony, and would therefore hope to see the charter adopted at the earliest practicable date.