Written Answers Nos. 70-77
70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which, at EU and UN level, the detention of Yulia Tymoshenko continues to be monitored; if any action has been taken in the context of international human rights with a view to bringing about her release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31123/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing detention of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, is being monitored closely by Ireland, the European Union and the wider international community. I refer the Deputy to my previous replies of 20 February and 16 May on the matter. Concerns regarding this case, which have been repeatedly expressed by Ireland and its partners, were borne out by the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on 30 April 2013, which ruled that Ms Tymoshenko had been unlawfully detained. As the Deputy is aware, High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Füle issued a joint statement in response to this judgment, which urged the Ukrainian authorities to reconsider Ms Tymoshenko’s imprisonment and to implement fully all rulings of the ECHR.
The EU’s position, as set out in the Conclusions of the 10 December 2012 Foreign Affairs Council and in the joint statement of the EU-Ukraine Summit of 25 February 2013, is clear: that Ukraine must address the issue of selective justice convincingly if progress is to be made towards signature of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November. The European Parliament’s monitoring mission to Ukraine, which is led by the former President of Poland, Mr Aleksander Kwaœniewski, and the former President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, has been engaging actively with the Ukrainian authorities. While there have been some positive developments, including the release of former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko in April, Ireland would very much like to see further steps taken by the Ukrainian authorities that would make signature of the Association Agreement possible, including, crucially, addressing the issue of selective justice.
71. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has identified the top ten countries with which trade with this country has improved most appreciably in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31124/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s exports have performed well over the past two years. The total value of merchandise exports in 2012 was €92 billion, representing an increase of 3.1% on the 2010 figure (€89 billion), while services exports for 2012 reached €90 billion; an increase of 21% on the 2010 figure (€74 billion). The markets which recorded the highest percentage increase for merchandise exports, over the period 2010 to 2012, were Tonga, Guam, Uzbekistan, Swaziland, Maldives, Nepal, Honduras, Guinea, Namibia and Nicaragua. Ranging between 333% and 11,200%, the increases were greater than for our more established trading partners. However, it should be noted that these increases were from much lower bases and the combined total of exports to these countries accounted for less than .03% of our total merchandise exports.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy identifies 27 priority markets, including those with the best prospects for increased trade. Local market teams headed by our Ambassadors are in place in these markets and their work is overseen by the high level Export Trade Council, which I chair.
Our priority markets include the UK, USA and many of our Eurozone partners, which are key markets for Ireland. The Government is also fully committed to developing and expanding engagement with key high potential markets such as the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - which are all among our priority markets.
Our top 10 merchandise export markets by value in 2012 were, in fact, all priority markets: the United States, UK, Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Japan. Our exports to a number of these countries increased strongly between 2010 and 2012, with notable growth in exports to Switzerland (42%), Japan (20%), Germany (17%), United Kingdom (10%) and the Netherlands (8%). This group does not include a number of other key export markets to where there was a significant increase in merchandise exports over the same period, such as Canada (40%), the Russian Federation (60%), India (46%), United Arab Emirates (36%) and Denmark (30%).
72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which development in the Western Balkans continues to be a feature for discussions at EU level; the efforts being made to ensure ongoing evolution of peaceful and democratic structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31125/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which plans for EU enlargement continue in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31126/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to his PQs on the subjects, Ireland is supportive of enlargement and of the EU perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans. We see enlargement as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in Europe. During our Presidency we have worked to facilitate progress for all candidates and prospective candidates, based on an enlargement policy focussed on credibility and conditionality.
I am pleased that discussions on enlargement and the Western Balkans feature at the Foreign Affairs Council, General Affairs Council and European Council this week. Following substantial progress in Serbia and Kosovo, I am confident that decisions will be taken on opening accession negotiations with Serbia and Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations with Kosovo.
The Irish Presidency has opened a negotiating Chapter with Montenegro. We have also overseen progress on the important rule of law Chapters (23 and 24).
On Turkey, the Irish Presidency has worked hard to reinvigorate the accession process through preparing the ground for the opening of the first negotiating Chapter in three years (22 – Regional Policy and coordination of structural instruments). These efforts will continue until the end of our Presidency. While the recent unrest in Turkey has been a cause for deep concern, Ireland takes the view that greater EU engagement with Turkey is necessary. The protests show Turkey needs further reforms and we believe the accession process is the best way to deliver these.
For Iceland, no further progress is expected during our Presidency following the new government’s decision to halt the accession process ahead of a referendum on accession. It is the democratic right of the new government in Iceland, in consultation with the people, to decide if they wish to continue accession negotiations, and we must respect their choice.
Following the political crisis in Macedonia in the early months of this year, a decision is not anticipated on opening accession negotiations during our Presidency. However it will be important for the EU to remain engaged with Macedonia in the coming months.
Likewise, a decision on granting candidate status to Albania is not anticipated at this time, as there has been little progress on the reforms required to achieve this. The conduct of the elections there last Sunday will be a consideration when the Council comes to review Albania’s application for membership again in December.
Reforms and progress have also been lacking in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Foreign Affairs Council next month should provide an opportunity for the EU to consider its overall approach to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Finally, the Irish Presidency has overseen the final stages of Croatia’s accession process. Ireland very much looks forward to welcoming Croatia as the EU’s newest Member State on 1 July, and I am pleased and honoured to be attending the accession celebrations in Zagreb on the final day of Ireland’s Presidency on 30 June.
74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has had discussions at EU level and with his counterparts in the UK in the context of the implications for this country, the UK and the European Union in the event of the UK withdrawing from the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31127/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe debate in the UK, regarding its membership of the European Union, is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Depending on how events unfold, the outcome of that debate may have consequences for all Member States, not least among them, for Ireland. However undoubtedly, the most profound consequences would be for the UK itself, which must be allowed the time and space to take the course of action that it feels in its best interest. The place of the UK within the EU is first and foremost a matter for the British Government and people, as appropriate. While there have been many contributions to the debate on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, the question has not been formally raised within the European Union.
The Treaty of Lisbon included a provision - Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union – which explicitly provides for a situation in which a Member State might seek to withdraw from the Union. It is only when a Member State makes such an application that the issues would be formally considered. Article 50 has never been invoked and I strongly hope that this remains the case.
I have made clear, many times, my strong preference for the UK to remain a strong and influential partner within the European Union. I am convinced that the UK’s interests are best served by their remaining an active member of the EU. The European Union is better and stronger with the UK in it. It is also in Ireland’s interests that the UK remains a fully committed member of the EU. They remain our most important trading partner and are an important ally on many aspects of EU policy.
The Government’s focus, both as Presidency and nationally, has been on ensuring that the Union is properly equipped to meet the current and future challenges facing the Union. To this end, much work has already been done to deal with the complex and exceptional economic challenges we have faced. We will continue to work with EU partners, including the UK, to guide the European Union back to the path of sustainable economic growth and job creation.
75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he directly or through the aegis of the EU and UN continues to monitor the various locations throughout the African Continent most subject to war, terror, genocide, famine, human rights violations or administrative deficiencies; if any particular initiatives are required on an on-going basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31128/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s programme of official development assistance continues to have a special focus on the continent of Africa. As the Deputy is aware, African countries have historically faced many difficulties, including food insecurity, poverty, protracted conflict, environmental degradation, weak government capacity, unequal global trading relationships, severe infrastructural weaknesses, poor governance, debt and the effects of HIV/AIDS.
In an effort to help the countries of the continent confront these far-reaching challenges, we allocate some 80% of Ireland’s development assistance to Africa. Our missions in Africa monitor developments, report to the Government, and manage our political and economic relations and humanitarian and development programmes. Ireland also has excellent relations with its NGO partners which are a direct and reliable source of information regarding the level of humanitarian risk African countries face at any particular time. My Department regularly reviews these various sources of information and ensures that key messages are given voice at an international level where the opportunity arises.
Ireland continues to provide strong support to the reform of the international humanitarian system. Important lessons have been learned since the Asian Tsunami in 2004 and major steps have been taken to improve the effectiveness, predictability and accountability of the system as a whole.
Together with other like-minded donor countries, we have worked particularly closely with the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to put in place new systems to improve the way in which aid is delivered and to ensure that coordination on the ground is improved through enhanced monitoring systems.
At EU level, there have also been improvements in coordination between Member States and the European Commission, which together constitute the largest donor of development assistance in the world. The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, adopted in December 2007, commits the EU to working to provide an emergency response based on need and to upholding the principles of good humanitarian practice: humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality. Under our EU Presidency, Ireland is currently chairing the Council Working Party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Assistance and continues to work to enhance coordination in particular through the sharing of information at EU level in order to ensure a timely and effective response to a given crisis.
Africa faces many challenges. Nevertheless, the continent is showing real progress towards sustainable change. In order to maintain this positive momentum and avoid losing the positive gains from development investment over the years, Ireland will continue to work in partnership with African countries to respond quickly to humanitarian challenges when they occur.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he directly or in conjunction with the EU-UN continues to monitor or encourage the peace process in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31129/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that the ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there that has caused much suffering. I am following closely developments in the talks underway and have welcomed the agreement reached last month on the land reform element of these negotiations as a very positive step forward. I wish the parties success in reaching agreement on the other important items remaining on their agenda so that a final comprehensive peace agreement can be secured.
The peace process is also supported by the European Union and the wider international community. The EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, warmly welcomed the progress reached last month on the land reform agreement, expressing the hope that this will add fresh impetus to the negotiations with a view to the rapid conclusion of a final peace agreement. She commended the parties to the talks for their commitment to the peace process and called on them to continue to negotiate and cooperate in a spirit of goodwill in order to give the Colombian people the peace that they deserve.
More generally, the European Union has made clear its readiness to provide support for activities in Colombia that promote peace, truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation. Ireland fully supports this approach. When I met with Colombia’s President Santos earlier this year I assured him that Ireland wishes the negotiators success in this important process and I told him that we stand ready, within available means, to share our experiences if invited to do so by the parties to the process.
I welcome that the United Nations is also very supportive of the peace process. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed last month’s agreement on land reform, and hopes that the parties to the talks will have further success in their efforts to reach agreement on the remaining issues. The United Nations Development Programme is playing a helpful role in this process by facilitating, together with Colombian partners and at the request of the parties to the talks, a series of consultations with civil society on themes relating to the peace process.
I am also keeping in touch with the views of various representatives of civil society on the process underway. At the recent Universal Periodic Review of Colombia at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Ireland expressed our strong support for the Colombian peace process and encouraged all parties to ensure adequate space for civil society actors in the process, paying special attention to the participation of women and indigenous communities.
