Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
106 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the meeting of Defence Ministers of 17 May 2004 in the framework of the General Affairs and External Relations Council; the subjects discussed and decisions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17912/04]
View answerOn 17 May last, I chaired a meeting of Defence Ministers in the framework of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. Meetings in this format are normally held during each Presidency and complement the informal meeting of Defence Ministers that is also held during each Presidency. The meeting in May concentrated on some key items relating to the ongoing progress of EU security and defence policy during Ireland's Presidency. In particular we discussed the agreement for a new headline goal, with a horizon of 2010; the ongoing work towards the development of an EU rapid response capability, such as that which made a significant contribution to achieving peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2003; the ongoing work towards the establishment of an agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments, on which I have reported in more detail in response to earlier questions today; and the development of the relationship between the EU and NATO with particular regard to planning capabilities for civilian and military operations. I was pleased to be able to convey good progress on all of the issues to our Foreign Minister colleagues for inclusion in their General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions.
Our meeting was followed by a meeting between the EU Defence Ministers and the Defence Ministers of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Norway and Iceland — the non-EU Members of NATO — which I also chaired. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views with the countries about the ongoing progress of EU security and defence policy in accordance with the ongoing implementation of constructive and transparent relations between the EU and NATO. I am pleased with the progress on EU security and defence policy achieved during our Presidency. I am confident that the Presidency report to the European Council on 17 and 18 June will reflect positively on this progress.
