Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - International Agreements.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

263 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with the authorities in Latvia which is shortly to join the European Union but which has not as yet ratified the framework convention for the protection of national minorities; and if the Government can offer advice and assistance to Latvia in dealing with the difficult issues confronting that country in relation to minorities, language and education law. [7205/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Ireland enjoys excellent political relations with Latvia. In 1991, we welcomed the fact that Latvia regained its independence. We have also supported Latvian accession to the EU, and in the course of accession negotiations, EU contacts with Latvia have been maintained at all levels, including at ministerial level. Following the successful conclusion of accession negotiations at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002, we look forward to welcoming Latvia as an EU member state on 1 May 2004, during the Irish Presidency.

As an acceding state to the European Union, Latvia is required to meet the highest standards of protection of human rights, including the protection of minorities. These are elements of the Copenhagen political criteria which all candidates for EU membership are required to fulfil before accession negotiations can be opened. The Commission has affirmed in its regular reports since the start of negotiations with Latvia in 2000 that Latvia fulfils these requirements.

In relation to the specific issue of the protection of national minorities, a significant role is played by the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on national minorities. Ireland's permanent representative to the Council of Europe chairs the rapporteur group on human rights of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, in which,inter alia, the issue of national minorities is discussed.

Latvia signed the framework convention on national minorities on 11 May 1995, but has not as yet ratified it. In a resolution of 23 January 2001, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe called on Latvia to ratify the convention as a matter of priority. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 24 April 2001 also encouraged the Latvian authorities to ratify the convention. Although ratification is not a requirement for EU accession, the European Commission too has urged Latvia to ratify the convention. Latvia intends to ratify the convention and is engaged in an ongoing process to prepare for this. However, it will be noted that the Latvian Parliament rejected ratification in March 2001.

As a member of the monitoring committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Deputy will be aware that these matters have been discussed by the monitoring committee in the context of its post-monitoring dialogue with the Latvian authorities.

The Irish Government provides pre-accession assistance to all the candidate countries. Each embassy accredited to a candidate country has a budget of €30,000 to fund pre-accession training, which may include training in the area of human rights. Latvian officials have also participated in courses funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and run by the Institute for Public Administration. Through Ireland Aid, the Government has also supported civic society groups in Latvia. We have recently approved funding of nearly €11,000 to the European Women's Foundation for a democratisation project in a region where the majority of the population is of Russian origin.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

264 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the main outlines of any joint position to be advanced by the 15 EU member states at the next session of the ad hoc committee of states on a comprehensive and integrated international convention on protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities at United Nations level, which is due to take place in New York in June 2003; if the 15 EU member states are resolved to move beyond academic discussions of whether a convention is necessary and committed to begin the drafting process in earnest; and the projected timescale for the completion of the process. [7206/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As the Deputy is aware the United Nations has for some time been considering the question of an instrument aimed at the protection and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities.

The first meeting of the UNad hoc committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention on protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities was held in New York from 29 July to 9 August 2002. Ireland was represented at the meeting by an official from my Department and a representative of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The next meeting of the committee will be held from 16 to 27 June in New York.

The EU is in the process of establishing its position in regard to the issues before thead hoc committee. It would therefore be premature at this stage to comment on what this position might be.