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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Official Engagements.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

8 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the meeting of 25 EU and accession state foreign ministers in early May 2003 in Rhodes; the discussions surrounding the request for Javier Solana to draft a European strategic concept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14941/03]

EU Foreign Ministers had a very useful informal meeting in Rhodes and Kastellorizo on 2 and 3 May 2003. It was noteworthy as it included the ten accession countries for the first time. There were full and very useful discussions on a range of issues including the Middle East peace process, Iraq, weapons of mass destruction, transatlantic relations and the common foreign and security policy. As is the custom at such informal meetings there were no formal conclusions.

On the Middle East Peace Process, there was agreement that the EU must maintain its involvement and commitment to seeing that all parties take the necessary steps to implement the Quartet road map. With regard to Iraq, all member states agreed on the importance of a central role for the UN. There was also agreement that the EU has a role to play, particularly in the area of humanitarian assistance. The Commission was asked to undertake preparatory work to advance the EU's contribution in Iraq.

We also had a broad and forward looking discussion on weapons of mass destruction, transatlantic relations and the EU's common foreign and security policy. At the request of the Greek Presidency, I introduced discussion on the subject of transatlantic relations. In my presentation, I stressed the centrality of the transatlantic relationship to both the EU and the US. The relationship with Washington is one aspect of a ‘policy triangle' along with a reinforced common foreign and security policy and a firm attachment to the UN. While differences with the US should not be over-stated, there was a need to reassess the nature of the EU-US relationship in a strategic manner. An effective EU CFSP-ESDP is an essential component for this process. So, too, is political will to reach common positions and adhere to them. A common view was that the best way to repair the transatlantic relationship was to focus on issues where there are mutual benefits and shared interests. One such area is weapons of mass destruction and it was agreed that the EU and the US should work together on this issue.

One of the suggestions to emerge from the discussions was to prepare an EU Security Strategy for the 21st century, to which the Deputy refers. Dr. Solana, EU High Representative, was tasked with preparing an input for the European Council in Thessaloniki in June.

Work remains at an early stage and no title has yet been decided upon. I understand that the so-called security concept or strategy will seek to identify broad objectives which should inform the Union's conduct in international affairs, particularly, although not only, in the context of transatlantic relations. As was underlined in the course of my own subsequent meeting with High Representative Solana in Dublin on 21 May, EU partners are agreed that what is intended is a broad concept of security extending beyond the purely military perspective. I have also expressed the view that particular emphasis should be placed on conflict prevention and upstream intervention, including aid in areas such as good governance, stable democracy, trade and poverty reduction.
I consider that this initiative has the potential to be a very useful exercise. I hope it may assist in enhancing understanding between EU member states, with the US and with the wider international community as regards the EU's role in the world. I look forward to High Representative Solana's report to Thessaloniki and to further progress in the period ahead.
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