Peter Barry
Ceist:72 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the granting of technical, financial and economic aid from the European Community to the Soviet Union.
Written Answers. - EC Aid to Soviet Union.
Initial discussion of how the Community could best assist the process of reform in the Soviet Union took place at the Dublin European Council in June. Last weekend's European Council reiterated the importance attached by the Community to the success of the reforms undertaken by the Government of the Soviet Union. It expressed its will that the community should make a substantial, concrete contribution to the success of these efforts by means of co-operation in various areas. The Commission, in line with the mandate given to it at the Dublin European Council, has been engaged in the preparation of proposals for both short and longer term assistance. It has been instructed to submit such proposals before the next European Council, to be held on 14-15 December. Should any emergency action become necessary in the meantime, the Council of Ministers will on the basis of Commission proposals take whatever decisions are required. Furthermore, the European Council also asked the Commission to put forward proposals for a major commercial, scientific and technical co-operation agreement with the USSR. This would build upon the trade and co-operation agreement which entered into force in April.
Ireland fully endorses the approach adopted by the European Council. It is in everyone's interests that the reform process in the Soviet Union succeed and it is right that we in the Community support and assist the reforms being undertaken. The precise form and scope of the assistance to be offered remain to be decided; it is to be hoped that the next European Council will be in a position to take the necessary decisions on the basis of Commission proposals.