Bernard J. Durkan
Question:277 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Government can, or proposes to, influence the European Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7427/03]
Written Answers - European Security and Defence Policy.
Since the entry into force of the Amsterdam treaty in May 1999, the European Union has worked to make a constructive reality of the treaty's provisions on the Petersberg Tasks, namely, humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking, through the development of the European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP. The conclusions of European Council meetings since Cologne in June 1999 have provided political direction for the EU to develop an operational capacity, incorporating both civilian and military dimensions, for conducting Petersberg Tasks.
Ireland has sought to play a positive and constructive role in the evolution of the ESDP. It is an inclusive project and it has been conceived and elaborated with the engagement of all EU member states, including Ireland. We have and will continue to participate actively in its ongoing development.
Ireland, in co-operation with other EU member states, especially the other neutral and non-aligned countries, has, for instance, helped to influence the overall parameters within which the ESDP operates by placing particular emphasis on the primary role of the United Nations Security Council for the maintenance of peace and security. This emphasis has been reflected in the conclusions of successive European Council meetings. Conflict prevention has also been at the core of the Union's approach and Ireland has worked to ensure that this centrally important dimension to ESDP is given prominence. I wish to see the continued development of the EU's role in the conflict prevention area.
An important aspect of the ESDP is its intergovernmental nature and the application of unanimity to decisions taken by the Union in the security and defence area. This has helped to maintain Ireland's influence on developments in the ESDP area.
Overall, Ireland and our EU partners must address the challenge of ensuring that the EU makes an effective contribution for a stable Europe and a more secure and just world. To this end, we will continue to work to influence the development of the ESDP.
Question No. 278 answered with Question No. 273.