Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
29. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide a report on the meeting of EU defence ministers in Bratislava on 26 September 2016; the issues discussed; and if it was made clear at that meeting that Ireland would oppose all attempts to create a standing EU army and that Irish neutrality is non negotiable. [33653/16]
View answerAs Dáil and Government business precluded my attendance at the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Bratislava which was held on the 26th and 27th of September, I was represented by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence. This was an informal meeting and as such no decisions were made on any matter. There was an exchange of views on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS). The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Frederica Mogherini, provided a progress report on the ongoing work of drafting an implementation plan on the security and defence elements of the EUGS, which is due to be presented to Member States at the Foreign Affairs Council, including Defence Ministers, taking place in Brussels on the 14th and 15th of November. The Commission also provided an update on progress on the development of the European Defence Action Plan which is expected to be presented to Member States before the end of this year.
Ministers also exchanged views on the implementation of the Joint EU-NATO Declaration made recently at the Warsaw Summit, which highlights areas where the EU and NATO can undertake practical cooperation in support of international peace and security, international crisis management operations and the protection of civilians. These areas include countering hybrid threats; broadening cooperation on maritime security and migration; expanding cooperation on cyber defence; developing coherent, complementary and interoperable defence capabilities; facilitating a stronger defence industry and defence research; stepping up coordination on exercises and supporting countries in building their defence and security capabilities.
There were also discussions on ongoing Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations with a focus on the Mediterranean Naval CSDP mission, 'Operation Sophia' and CSDP missions in the Sahel. The situation in Libya was also briefly discussed.
There are no proposals to create a standing EU army and this did not feature in any discussions. It is worth once again reiterating that the Treaty of Lisbon does not provide for the creation of a European army.
