Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
59 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the steps the Government took during the period of the Irish Presidency of the European Union to promote the demilitarisation of the EU and the status of the neutral States within the EU. [18866/04]
View answerI welcome the Deputy's interest in matters relating to demilitarisation. His question is best answered through reference to Irish Presidency achievements in the areas of conflict prevention and civilian aspects of EU crisis management activity. Conflict prevention has been a central element of Ireland's EU Presidency work programme and was the subject of a report by the Presidency approved by the June European Council. Covering the period of the Irish and Italian Presidencies and drawing on the outcome of the conflict prevention conference held in Dublin from 31 March to 2 April, this report can be considered the most substantive document on EU conflict prevention activities since the Swedish Presidency's EU programme for the prevention of violent conflicts of 2001. Against the background of recommendations contained in the European security strategy setting, the report sets out an analysis of EU activities in the conflict prevention area and identifies the significant challenges that remain in addressing root causes of conflict, escalation of conflict and post-conflict stabilisation. The report underlines the need to undertake further work in the area of early warning and to examine more closely the link between security and development. It recommends that work on conflict prevention takes account of the broader preventative agenda, as set out in the European security strategy. I am satisfied that a firm basis now exists for ongoing work on these issues under the incoming Dutch Presidency and beyond.
I am also pleased to report that Irish EU Presidency has made very significant progress towards ensuring a continuing and appropriate balance between military and non-military aspects of European security and defence policy, ESDP. In particular, agreement was reached with our EU partners on a specific Irish initiative which has resulted in adoption by the European Council of an important and substantive action plan on civilian aspects of ESDP. A further EU capabilities conference in this area will take place in November. As regards military aspects of European security and defence policy, I underline to the Deputy that these relate to the issues of peace-keeping and crisis management. Solid progress was also made in this area under the Irish Presidency, including through agreement on how such EU capabilities could be deployed in support of the United Nations. Ireland will continue to have the possibility to take part in EU crisis management operations, authorised by the United Nations, on a case-by-case basis.
Finally, I am happy to assure the Deputy that the status of neutral states within the EU, including Ireland, has remained fully upheld and accepted by the entire Union membership throughout our Presidency.
61 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the situation in Tibet has been discussed recently by the European Union Council of Ministers; when Tibet will next be discussed by the Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18797/04]
View answerIreland established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979, and has, from that time, recognised Tibet as an integral part of China. While both the European Council and the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, have considered aspects of the EU relationship with China on several occasions over the last year, there have been no recent discussions at the European Council on Tibet as a separate issue, nor am I aware of any plans to have such discussions in the near future. With regard to the human rights situation in Tibet, the Government has consistently called on the Chinese authorities to respect fully the rights of the Tibetan people. We will continue to address our ongoing concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Tibet, both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU-China human rights dialogue. It is the considered view of the Government that the dialogue is the most effective form of engagement with China on human rights issues. It is a method that has led to constructive discussions and one which also offers the most effective means of raising and following up on individual cases of concern.
62 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the envisaged creation of a new EU diplomatic service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18858/04]
View answerArticle III-197 (3) of the constitutional treaty states that in fulfilling his or her mandate, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be assisted by a European external action service. This service shall work in co-operation with the diplomatic services of the member states and shall comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the member states. The organisation and functioning of the European external action service shall be established by a European decision of the Council. The Council shall act on a proposal from the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs after consulting the European Parliament and after obtaining the consent of the Commission.
An accompanying declaration states that as soon as the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe is signed, the Secretary General of the Council, the high representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Commission and the member states should begin preparatory work on the European external action service. I expect that work to establish the European external action service will commence later this year. It is not intended or envisaged that the European external action service should supplant the diplomatic services of the member states but rather that it should enhance the Union's capacity for co-ordinated action internationally. I look forward to Ireland playing a full role in the service's development.
