Vol. 567 No. 7
35 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposed draft Article 17 on external action in the EU Constitutional Treaty which will expand the so-called Petersberg Tasks undertaken by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/03]
87 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's policy on the Article X Solidarity Clause (Title V) of the draft EU Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14946/03]
140 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposed Article 30, common security and defence policy, in the draft articles on external action in the EU Constitutional Treaty; the implications this has for the defence policy of this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13156/03]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 35, 87 and 140 together.
The House will be aware that the basis for the draft treaty articles relating to security and defence lies in a specific report produced by the relevant working group of the convention. The Government was not represented on the working group, although Deputy John Gormley and Proinsias De Rossa, MEP participated in its deliberations.
The Government and its representatives have engaged fully in discussions on these issues and will do so an ongoing basis. We continue to make clear that in Ireland's case, the constitutional position as regards an EU common defence is unambiguous. Ireland cannot join an EU common defence without the approval of the Irish people in a referendum.
I have noted the proposals put forward for expansion of the list of so-called EU Petersberg Tasks. In several respects, these proposals are close to the Government's own views, particularly as regards the need for a more explicit conflict prevention dimension. I would, therefore, be open in principle to the ideas submitted in this area and which I would hope will allow for better coherence and effectiveness in the implementation of possible future EU crisis management operations. Moreover, a decision to launch any Petersberg Task can only be taken by the Council acting unanimously.
On the issue of a possible "solidarity clause", we remain open in principle to the idea of a provision that would assist in the EU's response to emergency situations and new threats arising from terrorist and non-State entities directed against civilian populations and democratic institutions situated within EU territory. In principle, Austria, Finland and Sweden also support a solidarity clause along these lines.
In overall terms, I consider that the proposals put forward by the convention in the security and defence area, including the solidarity clause, will require further discussion and negotiation, both at the convention itself and at the forthcoming Inter Governmental Conference.
The House will appreciate that, just as in other areas covered by the convention, it would not be appropriate for me to seek to commence those negotiations at this stage. However, I can assure Deputies that the Government's approach will take full account of Irish foreign policy traditions and principles and will seek to have those reflected to the greatest extent possible in the new EU treaty which finally emerges.
Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 6.
37 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the main principles of the joint position paper on development co-operation in the draft EU Constitutional Treaty agreed between Ireland and a number of other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14761/03]
A copy of the joint position paper on development co-operation in the new treaty for the European Union, which I signed on 1 May 2003 together with my development co-operation ministerial colleagues from Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK, has been deposited in the library.
The joint paper has been submitted formally by my colleague, Minister of State for European Affairs and the Government's representative at the convention, Deputy Roche, to the Convention on the Future of Europe. The following are the main principles set out in the joint position paper; the broad values and objectives of the EU expressed in the constitutional part of the treaty should reflect and reiterate the Union's commitment to sustainable development, human rights, the rule of law, democracy and good governance, peace and stability, and the eradication of poverty; the aims and principles of development co-operation and humanitarian assistance should be covered by separate chapters in the treaty. Humanitarian assistance should be carried out on an impartial basis and geared to responding to humanitarian needs resulting from natural or man-made disasters; the EU should take account of the objectives of its development policy, referred to in the treaty chapter on development co-operation, in the other policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries; the EU's development policy should be firmly based on the objective of eradicating poverty, a policy which concerns all developing countries and all European Community development programmes; and development co-operation and humanitarian assistance should retain the principle of the existing "complementary competence" between the EU and member states, whereby both parties can independently pursue their actions in parallel but working towards a common policy framework and common objectives, and increased coordination and consistency.
These basic principles should be clearly reflected in a future constitutional treaty for the EU. It is essential that the convention give more attention to these important issues in their forthcoming deliberations.
