Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
569. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline Ireland's approach to the eastern neighbourhood, and if this has changed following developments in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15798/15]
View answerIreland’s approach to Europe’s eastern neighbourhood is based on the Eastern Partnership (EaP) which was launched in 2009 to provide a coherent framework for EU co-operation with six countries of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The forthcoming EaP Summit in Riga, on 21 and 22 May, was discussed at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers with the six Eastern Partners in Luxembourg yesterday. The Riga Summit will provide an opportunity to reflect on the progress of the Eastern Partnership, bearing in mind particularly the situation in Ukraine. The Riga Summit will also confirm the high importance which the EU, its Member States and the six partner countries attach to the Partnership. The Summit should set the course for the Partnership for next two years. The situation in Ukraine has deteriorated rapidly during the past 12 months. The EU is closely following developments in eastern Ukraine and has been to the forefront of international efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully. It is also helping Ukraine to implement a much needed programme of political and economic reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and modernising its economy. In the last year, the EU has channelled almost €6 billion to Ukraine in the form of macro financial assistance, grant aid and support from European financial institutions.
In that context, Ireland hopes the Summit will convey a message that the aim of the Eastern Partnership is to build a common area of shared democracy, prosperity, stability and increased cooperation. The Partnership is not directed against anyone and Ireland hopes that the Riga Summit will be an opportunity to help rebuild trust and confidence on our continent.
An important focus of the Riga Summit will be progress, with the assistance of the EU, on the implementation of Association Agreements (AA) concluded between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in 2013. The Deputy will recall our very useful discussion of these Agreements which this House subsequently approved by large majority.
I am happy to confirm that last week Ireland formally completed its ratification of these Agreements which are, in large measure, already being applied provisionally by the three countries concerned. However, in response to a Ukrainian request arising from its concerns about the impact of an immediate application of the Agreement’s Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), the European Commission agreed to delay its provisional application to Ukraine until 1 January 2016. In the meantime, the EU will continue the application of autonomous trade measures for the benefit of Ukraine.
The Riga Summit will also consider progress on the EU’s relations with those partner countries that chose not to conclude Association Agreements - Armenia, Azerbaijan - and developments in the EU’s critical engagement with Belarus.
