Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
466. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he supports the position of the European Commission President, Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, as outlined in his recent state of the union speech supporting the creation of the position of an EU Foreign Minister; the consultations that have been had with this State on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs referred to by President Juncker in his state of the Union address, Federica Mogherini is the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a post created by the Lisbon Treaty. She is doing an excellent job, including in chairing the Foreign Affairs Council.
I read President Juncker’s reference to a European Foreign Minister less as an institutional proposal than as a plea for all Member States to contribute to a coherent and effective Common Foreign and Security Policy. No specific proposal has been communicated to the Member States. Any change in the functions or role of the High Representative would require the agreement of all Member States to Treaty change. I agree, however, that there is a continuing need for the Member States and EU Institutions to work better together in accordance with the Treaties to ensure that Europe’s interests and values are protected and promoted in the wider world.
