Written answers

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

International Agreements

6:00 am

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the strategic objectives of Irish foreign policy in the context of the emerging economies of the east including Singapore, China and India; the way this policy is compatible with our EU membership and close relations with the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39566/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's strategic foreign policy objectives include the development of close bilateral relations with Singapore, China and India and other high growth and emerging economies in Asia, across a wide spectrum of political, business, educational, media, cultural, social and other ties. The Asia Strategy, launched in 1999, created a cohesive framework for the development of these relationships with a number of partners in the Asia Pacific region. Singapore, China and India were all identified as priority countries under the Strategy which set out a series of challenging targets and objectives with a view to raising awareness of Ireland, increasing our political, trade and investment ties and enhancing business contacts.

During the first five years of the Strategy, there was a transformation of our relationship with countries in the region with a marked increase in high level political contacts and greater levels of trade. These developments helped durable political and business relationships to grow with all the countries concerned. The second phase of the Asia Strategy, from 2005 to 2009, aimed at deepening this coherent policy of engagement on political, social, cultural, economic and commercial levels.

The Strategy helped to intensify our relations with the region and it has been very successful in raising awareness of Ireland in Asia, developing strong and meaningful relations and increasing our trade. Building upon these achievements, the Government launched a new strategy, 'Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy,' on 28 September. This is focused on increasing our exports to, and investment from, emerging high-growth markets as well as our key existing trading partners. Under the Strategy China, India and Singapore remain designated priority markets. A new Foreign Trade Council will oversee the implementation of the Strategy and my Department and its network of Embassies will play a key role in delivering its detailed targets.

Ireland's pursuits of its bilateral interests in Asia or other parts of the world are intrinsically compatible with Membership of the EU, which itself has extensive relations with countries of the Asia Pacific region. Ireland shapes, and contributes to, the development of these EU partnerships. EU membership is of fundamental importance to Ireland's national interests and shapes the context in which Irish foreign policy operates. Our experience of EU membership is a hugely positive one. Indeed, membership has allowed small countries like Ireland to extend our reach and has brought us into contact with countries and regions of the world that would not otherwise have been the case.

The Irish-U.S. relationship is also of enormous importance and benefit to Ireland. Our two countries enjoy close political, economic and cultural relations. Successive U.S. Presidents and their Administrations, and Ireland's many friends on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle, have made an enormous contribution to bringing peace and economic growth to this island. The Government attaches the highest importance to strengthening and developing this unique relationship. In March 2008 the Taoiseach commissioned a Strategic Review of the U.S. – Ireland relationship which would look at ways to re-energise and renew the relationship in order to reflect its changing nature. The Review entitled "Ireland and America: Challenges and Opportunities in a New Context" was published by the Taoiseach in March 2009 and the recommendations of the Review are currently being implemented.

In the context of the Government's drive for renewed and sustainable growth all of the relationships I have outlined are compatible with each other and indeed their further development across the broad range of our national interests is essential to our economic recovery. My Department and its Embassy network will continue to develop all of these relationships as part of a strategic approach to our foreign policy.

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