Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the most recent meeting of the GAERC. [15368/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) took place in Brussels on 16 March 2009.

The Council focussed on preparations for the Spring European Council. The agenda also featured the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP), the Western Balkans, Belarus, Afghanistan, Sudan and EU-US relations.

The Council examined proposals for spending €5 billion on energy projects and other infrastructure investments under the European Economic Recovery Plan. This was subsequently agreed at the Spring European Council on 19 and 20 March. Ireland expressed strong support for the European Economic Recovery Plan which includes funding to tune of €110 million for the Ireland-Wales electricity interconnector.

The Council also discussed the Eastern Partnership as part of the preparations for the Spring European Council, which adopted a Declaration on the subject. Ireland takes a balanced view of the Union's European Neighbourhood Policy which we value as a means of bringing the countries concerned, whether on the Union's eastern or southern borders, closer to the norms and standards of the Union.

The Council also adopted conclusions on EUFOR Tchad/RCA, welcoming the fulfilment of the operation's mandate and underlining the exemplary cooperation between the EU and the UN from the launching of the operation to its successful hand-over.

During the External Relations session, the Council discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina, reiterating its full support to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It called upon the local political leaders to engage thoroughly and with greater determination in the necessary reform agenda with a view to advancing the country's European perspective. The Council appointed Ambassador Valentin Inzko as EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and welcomed his appointment as High Representative in BiH.

The Council evaluated developments in Belarus and decided to extend its existing restrictive measures for one year and to continue the suspension of visa ban sanctions on certain officials of Belarus. The Council discussed the situation in Afghanistan, adopting conclusions stressing that the challenges facing the country and the broader region require a renewed international engagement, and that the EU will play a major role in this. The humanitarian situation in Sudan was also discussed following the expulsion of NGOs by President Bashir.

Over lunch, there was a brief discussion of EU-US Relations in preparation for the Heads of State and Government meeting with President Obama on 5 April.