SELECT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 2004

International Agreements: Motions.

Chairman

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, and his officials. The purpose of today's meeting is to consider motions which have been referred to the select committee by the Dáil for consideration. The first motion refers to the terms of the agreement establishing political dialogue and co-operation between the European Union and its member states, of the one part, and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other. The second motion refers to the establishment of a political dialogue and co-operation agreement between the European Community and its member states, of the one part, and the Andean Union and its member states, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, of the other. Members have been circulated with the briefing document.

As one of the states mentioned is Colombia, the committee would be grateful if the Minister of State provided an update on the situation there.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. Roche)

I am seeking the approval of the select committee for the ratification of the EU political dialogue and the co-operation agreements with Central American states and the Andean Community of Nations.

One of the priorities of the Irish term of the Presidency was to establish a closer link between the EU and these countries. The agreements, which I signed provisionally on behalf of the Government in Rome last December, reflect the deepening of EU relations with Latin and Central America. They come from commitments made at the last regional summit in Madrid in 2002.

The purpose of the agreements is to provide an interim mechanism whereby the EU can assist the Central American and Andean communities to develop and integrate. The long-term aim of the two communities is to develop two cohesive communities with which the EU will agree strong association agreements. Members will be aware that one of the issues that has bedevilled many of these states is the lack of capacity to form a similar cohesive arrangement as that of the EU. The agreements are a stepping stone for EU association agreements with these states.

The agreements are wide-ranging and provide for co-operation in all areas of trade, agriculture, industry, education, science and technology. The agreements also provide for co-operation against money-laundering, counter terrorism and migration. Both agreements form an important part of the development of the EU's relations with Central and Latin America. Ireland, as holder of EU presidency, will co-chair the EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit in Mexico at the end of May. Ireland will be the first EU member state to ratify the agreements to date. The agreements do not entail any cost implications for Ireland. Full consultations have taken place with all the relevant Departments that have confirmed that they have no objections and that no secondary legislation or other administrative measures are required in order for Ireland to ratify the agreements. I commend these agreements for the select committee's approval.

During my discussions on the Colombia Three with President Uribe when he visited the European Parliament, I emphasised the necessity to ensure the safety of the three men in the event of their case being discharged or the charges failing. The Government notes the men's acquittal on the main charge of terrorism. The Colombian Attorney General and the Procurator have lodged an appeal against the judge's decision. The decision as to whether it can progress will be made later this week. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has communicated his concerns for the men's safety to his Colombian counterpart. The best way to ensure the men's security is to facilitate their early departure from Colombia. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Irish embassy in Mexico, will remain in close contact with the Colombian authorities on this matter and will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the men, their families and those who are supporting them.

Mr. M. Higgins

I welcome the presentation made by the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, on the agreement for Central American states. I have said for sometime that these seven states have a regional future. However, that regional capacity has been blocked by the excessive interest and interference by other states in north America. Nicaragua has slipped down the UNDP index on all indicators and has been driven into impoverishment because of the destruction of its public sector. Given the economic capacity of the states that comprise the Central American region and their relationship to each other, it would be valuable for them to compose a regional community for which the EU could be of assistance. There is a serious shortfall in medical infrastructure in some of these states. Guatemala is the only state in the group that has an Amerindian majority. Micro-aid and micro-economic systems from the EU can be of assistance there.

There are far greater possibilities of co-operation between the EU and the Andean Community. The election of Mr. Zapatero as prime minister of Spain ushers in new possibilities, as the new administration has indicated its interest in re-working its relationships with Central and Latin America. These agreements will help this process and I welcome them. It is time that the EU engaged more fully with Central and Latin America. While Spain and Portugal had the closest European link with the regions this was lost when both states were under dictatorships. This is a new opportunity that should be built on.

Members are agreed about the conditions for the men's safety in Colombia. Without making any judgment on the substantive issue, the main priority is the men's safe and quick passage out of Colombia.

Ms O’Donnell

To what extent is development co-operation incorporated in these agreements? Given the many Irish people involved in humanitarian work and the work of missionary orders and NGOs in Central America, the Ireland Aid programme's expansion was recommended in the region during its review. The region has suffered greatly from conflict, poverty, an absence of development and natural disasters such as Hurricane Mitch. Are these factors taken into consideration in these political and co-operation dialogue agreements?

Chairman

I note from the background information that these discussions for co-operation do not include trade concessions or liberalisation, but they will be working towards their development, and will build on the outcome of the World Trade Organisation's Doha work programme, which should lead to feasible and mutually beneficial association agreements, including free trade agreements. Therefore, it is important that these negotiations advance. It is possible that Ireland will be the first EU member state to ratify the agreements, which is something we will welcome.

Mr. Roche

I thank the members for their contributions and I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy Michael D. Higgins. Central and south America is an area with which Europe has natural linkages, including blood relations, cultural relationships and relationships of language. It is one of the great tragedies that this close relationship between Europe and the countries in question withered during that blighted period mentioned by Deputy Higgins. It is also true that the agreements are, as Deputy O'Donnell noted, framework agreements within which all else occurs. There is no specific development aid linkage, for example.

The chairman made a point about trade. The trade issues will be determined in another context, but the agreements are framework agreements and are helpful to the region. I visited a number of Latin American countries late last year and as Deputy Michael D. Higgins noted, they consider that they have in some way been cut adrift from Europe. I am very happy that Ireland will be the first country to ratify the agreement. As Deputy O'Donnell said, there are an extraordinary number of people in Latin America, including more than half a million in Argentina, with close Irish relationships. I am pleased that during the Irish EU Presidency we are ratifying the agreement speedily. It is a sign of good faith and will be a positive move going into the summit in Guadalajara in Mexico, which we hope will have a positive outcome.

The agreement builds on the 1993 framework co-operation agreement with the two regions. It follows the main elements, with its political dialogue covering all aspects of mutual interest. It provides space, for example, to allow us discuss human rights issues in the regions, and it gives them the opportunity to take the point made by Deputy Michael D. Higgins, that excessive interest in the internal affairs of some of these countries has blighted their development. The Deputy and myself spent some time in Nicaragua and gained some excellent experience of the situation there.

Regarding democracy, good governance and capacity-building, this is a forum through which the European Union can be helpful. For example, there is space within the agreements for discussing conflict prevention, an issue which has bedevilled the region. Conflict prevention across borders in the region is particularly difficult. The most important aspect of the agreement is that it is a sign of interest and connection between the European Union and the countries in question. It affords them a channel for ongoing discussions with the EU on all issues from trade to development aid, and on the development, for example, of facilities in education and health.

Chairman

These are very extensive areas of discussion. Ireland has a considerable contribution to make in education, the information society, co-operation and financial services, all areas of major importance.