Willie Penrose
Question:17 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recently published Government paper on Partnership for Peace, the Individual Partnership Programme. [8408/01]
Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.
Following on from Ireland joining Partnership for Peace, PfP, in December 1999, the Individual Partnership Programme for Ireland's participation was recently agreed.
As Deputies will be aware, each State participating in Partnership for Peace develops an individual partnership programme tailored to that State's interests and priorities on the basis of its PfP presentation document. Ireland's programme gives particular emphasis to co-operation in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, reflecting the priorities set out in Ireland's presentation document, which was approved by this House in November 1999.
Ireland's policy approach in this area will be developed in the light of initial experience. The programme has been drawn up in a flexible form to allow for some adjustment in any subsequent iteration, having regard at all times to the overall approach set out in the presentation document. Ireland's first individual partnership programme will run until 31 December 2001 when it will be updated.
The individual partnership programme has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and details of the specific activities involved have been supplied to the library. The text of the individual partnership programme is also available on my Department's website, as well as on the website of the Department of Defence.