Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Enlargement.

Austin Deasy

Question:

79 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he anticipates that additional countries will become members of the European Union; if he will name the countries involved; if he has any objections to any countries being suggested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27471/00]

Louis J. Belton

Question:

84 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards enlargement of the European Union. [27567/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 84 together.

As I informed the House on 18 October, Ireland is a strong supporter of the current enlargement process for strategic reasons of peace and for economic reasons. We look forward to welcoming the new member states, when they have satisfactorily completed their negotiations and have demonstrated their ability to assume the obligations of membership. Enlargement will provide important economic opportunities for new and existing member states alike. Enlargement will also give us the opportunity to address outstanding problems on our continent, including such vital issues as organised crime and a better functioning relationship with Russia and the states of the former Soviet Union. In addition, an enlarged EU can play a more important and more credible role in world affairs.

Enlargement negotiations are now at a substantive phase. The Commission assessment reports on enlargement, which were published on 8 November, are very helpful in making the necessary decisions to give a renewed impetus to the process. In its strategy paper the Commission proposes a "road map" for the negotiations, which allows the EU fulfil its commitment made at Helsinki, to be in a position to welcome new members from the end of 2002. It also allows that the present Commission and Parliament can be fully engaged in the first accession process. The best case scenario would have negotiations finalising for the most prepared applicants mid 2002. For Ireland there is nothing in the reports that should cause us problems and we will be able to firmly support conclusions along the lines suggested by the Commission in its strategy paper at the Nice European Council. It is sufficiently ambitious without lacking credibility as a path ahead.

Nice will also confirm that the differentiation process agreed in Helsinki will continue to apply to the process of enlargement and it will be that, taken together with their state of preparedness, which will determine when the individual countries will join the EU.

Ireland has benefited enormously from EU membership. We have at the same time contributed constructively to the Union's development, politically and institutionally. The decade ahead will bring its own momentous happenings, not least of which will be enlargement. These developments will influence the necessary integration process leading to the further construction of the Union. Ireland views this prospect positively. We are in favour of integration. Integration does not mean centralisation or federalisation; rather it means further developing and improving the manner in which we Europeans freely co-operate and work together, while respecting our diversity.