Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2017
53. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will be attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council defence meeting taking place on 18 May 2017; the items on the agenda for discussion at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23082/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will be attending the formal Council of Foreign Affairs with Defence Ministers (FAC Defence) scheduled to take place on the 18th May, 2017, in Brussels. The meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board in Defence Ministers format. This session will primarily focus on the long term review of the EDA, implementation of key taskings and next steps, and acceptance of a new Ad-Hoc Programme regarding the establishment of a Cooperative Financial Mechanism.
Chaired by the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Ms. Frederica Mogherini, the first session of FAC Defence will focus on implementation of the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence. Discussions are expected to centre on Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO); the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD); EU Battlegroups and 3rd Country CSDP Partnerships. The Commission will also provide an update on The European Defence Action Plan (EDAP) and the European Defence Fund. It is expected that Ministers will adopt Conclusions on progress in implementing the Global Strategy in the area of security and defence.
The second session will feature EU-NATO cooperation where Ministers will discuss the state of play of EU-NATO cooperation and the implementation of the Warsaw Joint Declaration.
The final session will consist of a working joint lunch of Defence and Home Affairs Ministers focusing on counterterrorism.
