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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Partnership for Peace.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

270 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in relation to the principles of the Partnership for Peace; the Government's position and the likely situation in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7420/03]

The basic principles applying to the Partnership for Peace, PfP, were set out in the PfP Framework Document of January 1994 and remain unchanged.

The Framework Document sets out the political purposes of PfP, which include the protection of human rights; the safeguarding of freedom, justice and peace; the promotion of democracy; the maintenance of the principles of international law; fulfilment of the obligations of the UN Charter and OSCE commitments. A key principle which applies is that of "self differentiation" whereby each PfP country determines the nature, scope and limits of its participation.

In accordance with the provisions of the Framework Document, the terms of Irish membership were set out in Ireland's presentation document for the PfP programme, approved by the Dáil on 8 November 1999. This document states, inter alia, that Ireland's decision to participate in PfP is in full accordance with Ireland's policy of military neutrality that has always been pursued in tandem with full and active support for collective security, based on international law. The presentation document also established our priorities for PfP membership, including peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

The number of non-NATO countries participating in PfP will fall from 27 to 20 after the lengthy accession process is completed for those countries from eastern Europe and the Baltic region that were accepted for NATO membership last November at the Prague Summit. From Ireland's perspective, a key aspect of this development is that no change to the underlying principles to PfP is envisaged. The core principle of self differentiation, to which I have already referred, will still apply. Ireland will continue to benefit from experience being gained in the peacekeeping area, especially through the development of enhanced inter-operability which is improving our ability to undertake peacekeeping operations in a safe and effective manner.

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