Eamon Ryan
Question:99 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the March 2007 meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10387/07]
View answerWednesday, 21 March 2007
Questions (40)
Written answers
The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) met in Brussels on 5 March. This was the final Ministerial meeting before the Spring European Council which took place on 8-9 March. The discussion on the European Council draft Conclusions was the sole substantive item on the General Affairs agenda. The discussion focused on the Energy and Climate Change chapter of the European Council draft Conclusions. Ministers had a very worthwhile exchange on these key issues. Ireland outlined our continued support for the ambitious measures and targets proposed by the Presidency in the energy and climate change dossiers which we had already supported at previous Council meetings of the Energy and Environment Ministers. The Deputy will be aware that, at the European Council, a comprehensive agreement was reached on Europe's future approach to the twin challenges of tackling climate change and securing our energy needs.
In relation to External Relations items, the Council discussed the situation in Darfur, focusing on the need for additional funding for the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Ireland briefed the Council on the Government's decision to contribute an additional €2 million to AMIS, bringing our total financial support to date for this important mission to €5 million. Ministers also discussed Uzbekistan, and efforts to establish a human rights dialogue with that country.
Also discussed was the situation in the Western Balkans, where the Council welcomed the formation of a new State Government in Bosnia-Herzegovina and urged greater reform efforts on the Bosnian side to enable conclusion of negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Conclusions on all three items were agreed and adopted by the Council.
Over lunch, Ministers reviewed developments concerning Iran's nuclear programme in light of its failure to comply with the requirements of UN Security Council Resolution 1737. Ministers agreed Conclusions deploring this failure and urging Iranian compliance, while also making clear the EU's willingness to continue efforts to find a negotiated, long-term solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Ministers also discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly focusing on how the EU should react to the formation of a Palestinian Government of National Unity. A proposal by the Secretary General/High Representative, Javier Solana, that he should visit Saudi Arabia and Syria to discuss the situation in the region received the broad endorsement of Ministers. There were also discussions of plans for marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and of the Commission's White Paper on communications policy.