Written answers

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

EU Programmes

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the new European Endowment for Democracy; the contribution if any, Ireland will make to this organisation; Ireland's representation in the governance of this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51174/12]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a new initiative established on foot of a Declaration adopted in December 2011 by the Member States and the EU Institutions that, in the words of its Statute, seeks to “to foster and encourage democratization and deep and sustainable democracy in countries in political transition and in societies struggling for democratisation”. On foot of a Polish initiative, the EED builds on the EU’s strong legacy in the promotion and development of democracy across the European continent and beyond. It is a welcome addition to the efforts to promote democratic reforms in the Union’s Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods.

The EED is formally established as a private foundation under Belgian law and, as such, is not an EU institution. The Board of Governors of the EED includes representatives from all the Union’s 27 Member States. It also includes representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European External Action Service. The Board of Governors chooses the EED’s Executive Director and its Executive Committee.

The EED currently has funding of some €15 million pledged by the Commission and several Member States. The money available to the EDD may still increase as the pledging process is not closed as yet. Due to current economic and financial circumstances, Ireland is not in a position to make a financial contribution to the EED at present. However the EED Statute provides for Member States to make contributions in kind. This enables EU Member States to contribute to the EED in a manner which is appropriate to their financial circumstances by organising seminars and conferences, as well as by sponsoring publications and training. Ireland will consider making contributions within this framework as circumstances permit.

Ireland is currently represented on the Board of Governors of the EED by an official in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union who also acts as the Irish delegate to the Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST).

The first meeting of the EED took place in Brussels last week. At that meeting, the Board of Governors elected its Chair, co-opted three members of Civil Society to the Board and appointed three non ex-officio members to the Board.

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