Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has had discussions at EU level regarding proposals to forge closer EU links with NATO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36072/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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For many years there have been discussions between the EU and NATO on questions of common interest related to crisis management. This is not surprising considering that twenty-one EU Member States are also members of NATO. In addition, where both the EU and NATO operate in the same area, cooperation on practical issues is logical and enhances the security of EU personnel deployed, including Irish military and civilian personnel. Arrangements for cooperation between the two organisations have existed since the Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) originated over 10 years ago and have evolved in accordance with principles specified by successive European Councils. Permanent arrangements to facilitate cooperation between the EU and NATO in the crisis management area have also been developed. These arrangements, known as 'Berlin Plus'arrangements, allow the EU to draw on some of NATO's military assets - such as transportation, headquarters or planning facilities – in support of CSDP crisis management operations. The ongoing stabilisation mission EUFOR Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina benefits from having recourse to these arrangements.

More generally, EU-NATO relations are underpinned by long-standing principles that include full respect for the autonomy of EU decision-making, recognition of the different nature of the EU and NATO, and non-discrimination against any of the Member States. At least once per Presidency the Foreign Affairs Council adopts conclusions on CSDP which refer to this issue. For example, in April this year the Council "recalled the objective of strengthening the EU-NATO strategic partnership in crisis management ? and welcomed the efforts by the High Representative and the NATO Secretary General to foster progress in this area".

Most recently, on 16th September 2010, the European Council invited High Representative Ashton "to develop ideas on how EU/NATO cooperation in crisis management could be further strengthened".