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EU Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Questions (38)

Neale Richmond

Question:

38. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent meeting of EU Defence Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34624/21]

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Written answers

I attended the recent Informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers which took place between the 27th and 28th of May in Lisbon. This meeting consisted of three main sessions; a working dinner on reinvigorating EU - NATO cooperation, a working session on the Strategic Compass (an initiative within the framework of the EU Global Strategy to examine key current and future threats in the context of the EU as Global Security Provider) and a working session on the EU - Africa Partnership in Peace and Security. Defence Ministers also received a short Current Affairs briefing which touched on topics such as Mozambique and the Israel - Palestine situation. The working dinner was attended by NATO Secretary Genearal Jens Stoltenberg, while the EU - Africa session was attended by the Undersecretary General of the UN, Mr Jean Pierre Lacroix and a number of African regional development organisations.

The purpose of the EU - NATO session was to address security challenges that both organisations are facing, to discuss ongoing work in the framework of the EU’s Strategic Compass and NATO’s strategic reflection process (NATO2030) and to reflect on the upcoming fifth anniversary since the Warsaw Joint Declaration.

At the Strategic Compass session, Ministers discussed the Capabilities Basket of the Compass. The conversation focused on what capabilities are needed, how they may be developed and how we can embrace technological innovation to deliver highquality modern capabilities. HRVP Borrell highlighted the potential role of EU initiatives such as (CARD, PESCO, CDP, EDF) in delivering these capabilities.

With 10 CSDP Missions currently active in Africa across civilian and military spheres, the EU has a significant commitment on the continent. EU Ministers were joined by Representatives from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as well as the UN Under-Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix to discuss challenges to African peace and security. HRVP Borrell emphasised the importance of finding ‘African solutions to African problems’ through cooperation between organisations.

Ireland supports the strengthening of cooperation with our African partners, in order to further progress a mutually beneficial, mature and balanced security partnership with Africa. Ireland is also interested in finding ways to enhance AU-UN and EU-UN cooperation during our UN Security Council term.

In the margins of the Informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers I also met with the Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix at his request. Topics discussed included UNIFIL, Security Council business, Action for Peacekeeping plus (A4P+), Women, Peace and Security, the UN peacekeeping ministerial meeting on 07-08 December hosted by the Republic of Korea, and opportunities for UN-EU partnership.

Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 34.
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