Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Proposed Meetings Between EC Presidency and USA.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

65 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the political areas that will be included in the proposed twice yearly meetings between the EC Presidency and the United States of America; if these meetings will attempt to form common policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

As the Taoiseach has already informed the Dáil on 6 March, he and the President of the United States reached an agreement on 27 February that such meetings should become a regular feature of US/EC relations and that at least one such meeting should be held during each Presidency of the European Council. The talks could cover the whole gamut of EC-US relations. On the political side this means all subjects within the sphere of European Political Co-operation.

In the Single European Act the Twelve took on a common obligation to try to formulate and implement a joint European foreign policy. What is envisaged essentially with the United States is greater and more regular political consultation without in any way trespassing on the decision-making processes of EPC. There is no proposal to involve the US in this process of forming common policies on areas within the sphere of European Political Co-operation.