Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Common Strategy on the Mediterranean.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

103 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the input of the Government into the elaboration of the common strategy of the European Union on the Mediterranean region at the EU Council in Portugal in June 2000; if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by some development groups that the Euro-Mediterranean partnership is promoting European trading interests at the expense of developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27500/00]

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 its 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 Mediter ranean 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.

The promotion of close and mutually beneficial relations, including trading relations, between the European Union and the countries of the Mediterranean basin is a priority for the union. The development of such trading relations with the Mediterranean countries should not impact negatively on the trading interests of other developing countries. The EU is fully committed to promoting the trade interests of developing countries at all times. Indeed the recently concluded EU-ACP Agreement – the Cotonou Agreement – provides for a significant expansion in trade between the EU and its 77 ACP partners, including many poor countries in sub-Saharan Africa.