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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Englargement.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

112 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's response to the speech to the European Parliament in September 1999 by the President-designate of the Commission, Mr. Romano Prodi, in which he set out his views on the future direction of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17945/99]

The speech which Mr. Romano Prodi, then President designate of the European Commission, delivered to the European Parliament on 14 September, was an important indication of his thinking on the future development of the European Union. Of particular interest were his comments on EU enlargement and its effects on relations with neighbouring countries, as well as on the reform of EU institutions.

I would agree with the new President of the Commission when he says that enlarging the European Union is a tremendous challenge. Ireland has at all times taken a very positive position towards enlargement which we feel is one of the great challenges facing the European Union. The criteria by which countries are judged suitable for membership of the European Union were agreed in Copenhagen and it is my firm belief that countries which can fully subscribe to these criteria should be eligible for membership of the Union.

At present the European Union is engaged in negotiations with Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia and Cyprus and decisions will be made later this year in Helsinki regarding the group of countries currently known as the "pre-ins". These are Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Malta.

I also agree with Commission President Prodi that enlargement will happen in stages and that we will need a strategy to meet the specific needs of those countries which face a longer wait for membership. I look forward to the new Commission's proposals in this area.

Our decisions later this year in Helsinki will be guided by the Commission's regular reports on the countries under review. We expect that these reports should be available in mid-October.

President Prodi, in his speech to the European Parliament refers to the need for a clear and comprehensive approach towards our new neighbours whose contribution to the peace and stability of the wider Europe is vital.

Through the partnership and co-operation agreements and Common Strategies the European Union is both developing and enhancing its relation with Russia and the Ukraine. At the same time the Union is, through new agreements, building firm foundations with the newly independent states. Once again let me say that I look forward to further proposals from the new Commission in these areas.

In his speech, Mr Prodi also referred to the forthcoming intergovernmental conference. Implying that the agenda already identified for that intergovernmental conference might be insufficient, he called for what he described as a "genuinely ambitious reform".
The Cologne European Council in June stipulated that the intergovernmental conference, which is due to take place next year, would cover the size and composition of the Commission, the weighting of votes in the Council, and the possible extension of qualified majority voting in the Council. However, the conclusions added that other necessary amendments to the treaties arising as regards the European institutions in connection with the above issues and in implementing the Treaty of Amsterdam, could also be discussed. It is not possible at this stage to predict with certainty the eventual agenda of the intergovernmental conference.
The Government's view is that the setting of the level of ambition for the intergovernmental conference should take account of the very recent entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam which reflected, in many areas, the level of agreement which it was possible to reach at the present stage of the Union's development. In that regard, we share the view of most member states, as reflected in the Cologne conclusions, that next year's intergovernmental conference should focus on the limited number of institutional issues which it was not possible to settle in the Treaty of Amsterdam.
We fully share the view expressed by Mr. Prodi that the prospect of a series of intergovernmental conferences is unappealing. Accordingly, we believe like others that the changes to be made at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference should be such that it will not be necessary to come back to the same issues before each enlargement.
Ireland has a significant interest in the effective functioning of the EU and of its institutions. We will examine in a constructive way any reasonable proposals which can improve that functioning provided, of course, that the essential balances between the institutions and the member states are preserved.
I might add that a number of institutional improvements do not require treaty change and we welcome and support the determination of Mr. Prodi, which he reaffirmed in his speech, to reform the Commission to make it more modern, efficient and transparent.
Finally, I would also welcome the importance which the President of the Commission attached to the European Union's strategic relationship with the United States. I agree with his view that the opportunity which the forthcoming World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, to be held in Seattle from 30 November-3 December, 1999, offers to both the EU and the US to build a reinforced transatlantic partnership, capable of showing real joint leadership, should be fully seized.
I will circulate a copy of Mr. Prodi's speech for the convenience of Members.
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