Jim O'Keeffe
Question:201 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's priorities for the European Union Summit in December 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29023/01]
Written Answers. - EU Summits.
In the days prior to a meeting of the European Council, the President of the European Council writes to his counterparts outlining the principal topics for discussion. There is no formal agenda as such. The letter from the Belgian Prime Minister in respect of the European Council in Laeken on 14 and 15 December has not yet been received. Nevertheless, it already seems clear at this stage that the following are likely to be among the main items for discussion.
The European Council, in its consideration of the follow-up to the 11 September attacks in the United States, will review progress on implementing the counter-terrorism agenda that Heads of State and Government set out at their special Summit on 21 September. The effective implementation of this agenda is clearly a priority for the Government as for the Union as a whole. In this context, the European Council is expected to consider among other things the initiatives taken in the Justice and Home Affairs area, including the proposed framework decisions on combating terrorism and on a European arrest warrant, which are under intensive discussion at the moment.
The Laeken meeting will also review progress on the objectives set out in the Justice and Home Affairs area more generally at the Tampere European Council in October 1999. Key issues are likely to include immigration control, the harmonization of asylum and immigration legislation, improved police co-operation and improved working methods in the JHA area. Ireland takes a positive approach to this area, which affects the public very directly, but we also believe that, given its complexity and sensitivity, there has to be a focus on what is achievable.
The European Council will also consider progress on enlargement on which it is expected that, following the commission's positive review of the negotiations with the candidate countries, the Council will make clear that the targets set down at Gothenburg for completion of negotiations at the end of 2002 and accession to the EU in 2004, for up to ten new states, can be met. Ireland supports this approach.
The European Council will also discuss current international issues, in particular the humanitarian and post-military campaign situation in Afghanistan, the situation in the Middle East and progress in the western Balkans.
In relation to the future of Europe debate, I look forward to agreement on a declaration at Laeken which will launch the next phase of the debate. It is envisaged that the Laeken Declaration will include agreement on the establishment of a convention, bringing together representatives of member state governments, national parliaments, the European Parliament and the European Commission, along with applicant country representatives. The task of the convention would be to prepare options for eventual consideration by the Intergovernmental Conference scheduled for 2004. Ireland wants to see a coherent and focused debate which will concentrate on ways in which the public can be reconnected to the Union.
The Council may discuss the global Conference on Financing for Development which will be held in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002. In particular, the Presidency may focus discussion on progress by EU member states towards the UN target of spending 0.7% of their GNP on overseas development assistance. Ireland has given the UN a commitment to reaching the target by 2007.