asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have pressed for an EC policy of special aid for countries in Eastern Europe who have voted for the establishment of democratic institutions; and if he will undertake to make the promotion of such a policy a central principle of the Presidency of the European Council.
Written Answers. - Aid for Eastern Europe.
42.
The Government have welcomed the process of political and economic reform in Eastern Europe which goes in a direction that we and other partners in the Community have been advocating for many years. As the Deputy will know the historic events in Eastern Europe and the Community's response to them were discussed at the special meeting of Heads of Government convened by President Mitterrand of France in Paris last Saturday. In reply to questions in the House on 21 November I reported on the discussions at the meeting, including the range of proposals put forward in the area of aid to Eastern European countries. It was agreed that such aid would be conditional on a verified or verifiable return to democracy, respect for human rights and free and secret elections in the countries concerned.
The Heads of Government entrusted the Troika — that is France, Spain and Ireland — and the Commission with the task of preparing a study on a French proposal to establish an international bank to help in the economic development of the countries of Eastern Europe. This group is to report to the Strasbourg European Council on 8/9 December next. Ireland will participate actively in this work and in the follow up to the other proposals. The issue will have high priority, commensurate with its historic importance, during the Irish Presidency in the first six months of next year.
I might add for the Deputy's information that since the summer Ireland has been engaged actively with its Community partners and other industrialised nations in preparing an action plan for Poland and Hungary involving such measures as food aid, financial assistance, management assistance, and trade. As part of this effort the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced last week that the Government have decided on a national allocation of £650,000 for economic aid for Poland and Hungary next year which will complement other measures taken by the European Community.