Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to be associated with the remarks on the deaths of young people and parents in Manchester. Our thoughts are with all the loved ones of those who died and were injured. As the Minister said, no Irish people were killed or injured, but there is a long connection between Manchester and Dublin with people and families travelling back and forth. I am sure there are connections to some of the injured and perhaps the dead. I hope the bereaved and injured will find some solace and comfort in the outpouring of support from people across the world.

I have a couple of observations on the framework agreement. Sinn Féin supported it when it came to the European Parliament. Some concerns emerged from the review but overall we see it as very positive. It does not interfere with Mongolia's right to decide its own social and economic future, unlike other EU framework agreements. It also recognises Mongolia's right to formulate its own ties with countries, which is really positive. It is a positive step. There seemed to be a different approach to the agreement than there has tended to be with others. It talks about the legitimate right of Mongolia to look for co-operation on economic issues and to build political alliances with countries other than those in the EU. I see that as a different and an encouraging approach. It encourages regional integration into Chinese and Russian projects, the China belt, the Silk Road and Euroasian Economic Union. There is a recognition of Mongolia's location and importance in that part of the world. It talks about its constructive role in the region and its exceptional established democratic credentials and pledges stronger relations and support for Mongolia in its democratic transformation.

The agreement could become a positive reference. It talks about the remaining challenges in human rights and the rule of law, which I ask the Minister to comment on. It refers to engaging in a dialogue on bilateral and multilateral trade and trade related issues with a view to strengthening bilateral trade relations and advancing multilateral trade systems and compliance with WTO rules. It can serve as a basis for further negotiations in the EU-Mongolia free trade agreement. My concern about that is if it turns out like some other FTAs we have agreed. Even if Parliament is agreeable, we would not necessarily agree. I would have difficulties with that. There are also problematic parts on trade and economic resolution relations. The accompanying resolution agreement welcomes the inclusion of Mongolia in the GSP+ scheme and encourages the EU and Mongolia to intensify their trade and investment relations. There is a positive point in that it stresses that intensification should be in line with international conventions on labour standards, good governance and human rights and environmental standards. I see that as a positive step and a positive message. Lastly, it includes reference to climate change and environmental challenges, namely, tackling extractive industries and so on. There are a great many positives in it. I congratulate whoever the negotiators were. There is a growing realisation that these agreements can be positive not only for the EU but for the country involved. The fact that labour standards, good governance and human rights are included is a positive step.