Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their member states, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, signed at Brussels on 27 June 2014, a copy of which was laid before the Dáil on 9 December 2014.”

These motions were considered last week by the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, very much appreciated the discussions with members of that committee on these important agreements.

These three association agreements respond to the desire of the peoples of the countries in question to strengthen their ties to the EU on the basis of shared European values. The agreements are ambitious in scope and would replace the EU's current partnership and co-operation agreements with these three countries. They will also deepen political and economic relations with the three countries on the basis of common values in the context of the EU's Eastern Partnership.

As was mentioned during the select committee's discussion with the Minister, these agreements are mutually beneficial to the European Union and the three countries concerned. Respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms is an essential element of the agreements. If any party is in breach of its obligations on respect for human rights, appropriate measures, including the suspension of the trade aspects of these agreements, can be taken in response. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will be gradually integrated into the EU's Internal Market through the creation of deep and comprehensive free trade areas. Co-operation with the EU on reforms in some 28 policy areas is also an important feature of the agreements. The EU will assist the three countries with the implementation of the agreements, providing assistance with the modernisation, for example, of their agricultural sectors and better regulation of their financial services. In 2014, the EU made available €131 million each to Georgia and Moldova and €365 million to Ukraine in this regard.

The agreements were signed last year at European Council meetings. The three countries concerned - Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - have already ratified them, as have ten EU member states. The ratification process is well advanced in most other member states and the European Parliament has also given its approval. Some parts of the agreements where the EU has exclusive competence are being applied on a provisional basis, pending ratification by all concerned parties. It is important to state that the agreements do not infringe on the sovereignty of Moldova, Georgia or Ukraine in any way. They are the result of lengthy and detailed negotiations into which the three countries entered freely. These negotiations were conducted by the European Commission on behalf of the EU on the basis of a mandate agreed by the member states, including Ireland. Georgia is the only country in the Caucasus region which has concluded such an agreement and opinion polls show that people there are strongly supportive of what is being done. Moldova ratified its agreement prior to recent parliamentary elections and the EU is committed to supporting its reform endeavours.

The EU's relationship with Ukraine has, despite the adversity of the ongoing crisis there, developed and deepened substantially. At Maidan Square and in the recent parliamentary elections, the people of Ukraine have made their voices heard on their desire for this association agreement. The EU has been at the forefront of international efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The security situation there remains extremely volatile and the recent escalation of violence which has claimed many innocent civilian victims is deeply worrying. I am particularly concerned by the horrific attack on the city of Mariupol at the weekend. High Representative Mogherini is convening an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Thursday, which the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will attend, to consider the EU's response, including possible further restrictive measures. The EU has consistently called on all sides to fully implement their commitments under the Minsk agreements and to take no action which might undermine the objective of a negotiated and peaceful end to the crisis that we all wish to see.

The association agreements will provide a long-term basis for the EU's relationship with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, based on shared European values and mutual interests. Closer economic integration with the EU will in time create opportunities for Ireland to forge stronger political and economic relations with these countries.

On behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I commend these motions to the House.

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