Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
258 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence to report on his Department's activities in respect of Ireland's EU Presidency; if he will outline his plans for the next few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1210/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe military aspects of crisis management which arise under the European security and defence policy, ESDP, are the areas of primary concern to my Department. In this regard, great progress has been achieved by successive EU Presidencies towards developing the EU's capabilities to carry out Petersberg Tasks operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian and peace support operations.
In 2003, the operational capability of the European Union was demonstrated through the launching of four ESDP operations. These were the EU police mission, EUPM, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Concordia in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, Operation Artemis in Bunia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the police mission, Proxima, in FYROM which followed the successful completion of Operation Concordia. These operations have made significant contributions to peace and stability in their respective areas of operations. A work programme to progress ESDP by the incoming Irish Presidency was endorsed by the European Council held in Brussels at the end of the Italian Presidency. The programme covers the full spectrum of ESDP issues including conflict prevention and the civilian and military aspects of crisis management.
My Department will progress this work programme at EU level using the established practice of formal and informal meetings up to and including ministerial level. An informal meeting of Defence Ministers of EU member states and accession countries is scheduled to take place in Brussels on 5 and 6 April 2004, while Defence Ministers will also meet in Brussels on 17 May in the framework of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. Meetings at official level will be held as and when required.
The Government intends that the same business-like professional approach, which characterised our previous EU Presidencies, will again be the hallmark of the conduct of the Presidency during the first half of 2004.
