Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 319: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recent measures he has taken to develop Ireland's foreign policy in the context of the EU common foreign and security policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30985/07]

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

The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is intended to impart greater coherence and unity to all elements of the European Union's action in the international arena and in its relations with external actors. As such, the CFSP covers the entire range of the Union's foreign policy concerns. While some new measures are envisaged in the Reform Treaty to enhance the Union's external coherence and visibility, including the establishment of a new post of High Representative, the CFSP will remain essentially inter-governmental in nature, with policy and decisions continuing to be made by Member States.

Ireland remains strongly positive about our participation in the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The general principles underlying the CFSP very much accord with our own priorities and values, in particular the emphasis on multilateral cooperation and the role of the UN, promotion of democracy and human rights, conflict prevention and resolution, and the eradication of poverty. Involvement in the CFSP gives us the chance to shape policy within a bloc which is much more influential than we could be acting only by ourselves. The inter-governmental nature of the CFSP, with unanimity continuing to be the general rule for decision-making, allows Ireland to influence positively the determination of the Union's foreign policy priorities and ensure that they accord to the maximum extent possible with our own national priorities.

Ireland participates actively in discussion of all CFSP issues with our EU partners, both in Brussels and in the coordination of EU positions in international organisations and at international conferences. In practice, this is the principal day-to-day focus of the relevant officials in my Department. I meet my EU colleagues each month at meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. Within the CFSP, Ireland is particularly active in urging common EU action on international issues to which we attach particular importance, such as the situations in Darfur, Burma and the Middle East, and on issues where traditionally we have led internationally, such as non-proliferation and disarmament, and respect for human rights.

Within this broad context, there remains ample scope for us to take specifically national initiatives, or to work with small groups of like-minded partners. Instances include the formation of the Conflict Resolution Unit, our continuing role in the New Agenda Coalition in regard to nuclear disarmament, and our role in the Oslo Process on cluster munitions.