Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 8

Written Answers. - Trade Agreement with Romania.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

57 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the intention of the EC to sign a trade agreement with Romania; and his views on whether it is wise to do so in view of the fact that the Communists are still holding power in that country.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

The EC Council of Ministers approved on 7 May a mandate for the Commission to negotiate an agreement on trade and economic co-operation between the Community and Romania. Such an agreement would complete the Community's network of trade and co-operation agreements with the states of Central and Eastern Europe. These basic agreements form part of the overall EC approach to relations with these countries.

Beyond this, it was agreed by the Special European Council in Dublin on 28 April that discussions would begin in the Council on a further stage in the development of relations through the negotiation of agreements of association with each of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It was decided that the Community will work to complete association negotiations with these countries as soon as possible on the understanding that the basic conditions with regard to democratic principles and transition towards a market economy are fulfilled.

In the negotiation of these agreements, and more generally in the extension of economic aid in support of reform, the Twelve will continue to follow closely the evolution towards full democracy in Romania and other former communist states and will monitor the extent to which the basic conditions set by the European Council are met in each case.