Vol. 498 No. 4
107 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of foreign policy activity within the European Union; Ireland's role in the EU common foreign and security policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27262/98]
The key position of foreign policy issues within the European Union is underlined by the status which the common foreign and security policy, CFSP, enjoys as a distinct and separate pillar of the Union's activities. As set out in Article J.1.1. of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the objectives of the CFSP, inter alia, are to safeguard the common values and interests of the Union; to strengthen the security of the Union; to preserve peace and strengthen international security; to promote international co-operation; and to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Ireland's input into the development of the common foreign and security policy is considerable. In addition to our day to day input into a wide variety of issues, our attention is in particular focused on those aspects of the CFSP which arise in the context of the implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam which is expected to come into force next year.
The Amsterdam Treaty provides for a revision and systemisation of decision-making under the CFSP. The role of the European Council in defining principles and general guidelines, which was already provided for in the Treaty of Maastricht, will be highlighted to a greater extent.
Under the new Treaty of Amsterdam provisions, the European Council will decide on "Common Strategies" in selected areas where the member states have important interests in common and the General Affairs Council will recommend and implement such strategies. Treaty provisions allow for decisions taken on the basis of a common strategy to be adopted by majority vote, subject to safeguards, the so-called "emergency brake". It is envisaged that a Common Strategy will be adopted by the European Council by unanimity in the customary way, and that it will provide a more or less detailed outline of policy objectives on the basis of which subsequent implementing decisions could be adopted.
Discussions have taken place recently at senior official level among partners regarding a list of topics for the first common strategies. Arising from these discussions, the General Affairs Council, on 7 December, approved a list of topics to be submitted to the Vienna European Council, for the first Common Strategies to be adopted under the Treaty of Amsterdam. Work on these topics will commence under the forthcoming German Presidency. Ireland has participated in and contributed to these discussions, both at official level and at the General Affairs Council and European Council.
The Amsterdam Treaty also provides for two related institutional changes to the operation of the CFSP.
