Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 129: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the most recent EU Council of Ministers meeting; the contribution which Ireland made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19715/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland was represented at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 May by my colleagues Mr Noel Treacy, T.D. Minister for European Affairs and Mr Willie O'Dea T.D., Minister for Defence.

The Council had a preliminary discussion on the draft annotated agenda for the June European Council. This Council will focus on the Future of Europe. Ireland broadly welcomed the Presidency's approach to the Council. Draft conclusions have now been issued by the Presidency and these will form the basis of discussion by officials between now and the next GAERC on 12 June.

The external affairs agenda included discussions on issues relating to the European Security and Defence Policy and was therefore attended, as is normal practice, by Defence Ministers as well as Foreign Ministers. The joint session of Foreign and Defence Ministers adopted Conclusions on the issues of Civil Military coordination, Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans and Emergency and Crisis Response. Ministers heard a presentation from the former French Foreign Minister and European Commissioner, Michel Barnier on options for further developing EU capabilities to respond to large-scale natural disasters. In addition, Defence Ministers also met separately to discuss a number of issues including the forthcoming EU military crisis management mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the European Defence Agency.

The Council also held discussions on the Western Balkans, focusing in particular on Serbia and Montenegro as well as the recent political developments in Nepal and preparations for the EU-Russia Summit. A broad-ranging discussion took place on African issues and Conclusions were adopted on Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d'Ivoire.

Over lunch, the Council discussed the Middle East Peace Process, Iraq and Iran. On Iraq, the Council warmly welcomed progress made towards forming a government of national unity and expressed readiness to engage actively with the new government in order to achieve a secure, prosperous and democratic Iraq. On the Middle East, Ministers adopted Conclusions committing the EU to a lead role in the creation of the Temporary International Mechanism to channel international assistance directly to the Palestinian people. The Council also called on Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA and expressed full support for the UN Security Council's efforts. Ministers reaffirmed that the EU would be prepared to support Iran's development of a safe, sustainable and proliferation-proof civilian nuclear programme, if international concerns were fully addressed and confidence in Iran's intentions established. Over lunch, the Council discussed the Middle East Peace Process, Iraq and Iran. On Iraq, the Council warmly welcomed progress made towards forming a government of national unity and expressed readiness to engage actively with the new government in order to achieve a secure, prosperous and democratic Iraq. On the Middle East, Ministers adopted Conclusions committing the EU to a lead role in the creation of the Temporary International Mechanism to channel international assistance directly to the Palestinian people. The Council also called on Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA and expressed full support for the UN Security Council's efforts. Ministers reaffirmed that the EU would be prepared to support Iran's development of a safe, sustainable and proliferation-proof civilian nuclear programme, if international concerns were fully addressed and confidence in Iran's intentions established.