Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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12. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the increased EU-NATO co-operation supported by recent European Council meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3355/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Sharing strategic interests and facing similar security challenges, NATO and the European Union cooperate on issues of common interest, particularly in the areas of crisis management and capability development.  A key focus of this cooperation is to avoid duplication of effort in the development of military capabilities and in structures, systems and interoperability standards. Cooperation across both organisations also ensures maximum synergy where both are deployed in the same theatre, for example in the Balkans, the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa and Afghanistan.  In the face of new and emerging security challenges, in particular cyber, transnational crime, international terrorism, cooperation is essential in developing an effective and comprehensive response to these more complex security challenges.

In 2017, work continued on a Common Set of Proposals for the implementation of the Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation.  This declaration was made on 8th July 2016 by the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission, together with the NATO Secretary General. The declaration highlights areas where the EU and NATO can further strengthen cooperation. These focus on cooperation in the key areas of Countering Hybrid Threats, Operational Cooperation including maritime issues, Cyber security and defence, Defence capabilities, Defence Industry and Research, Exercises and capacity building.

On 14 June 2017, the EU and NATO issued a joint progress report on the progress of implementation on the Common Set of Proposals. A further set of new additional proposals building on the key areas set out above were agreed on 05 December 2017, including new topics, such as counter-terrorism, military mobility and women, peace and security. In conclusions from 14 December 2017 the European Council requested that work proceed on implementing the full set of proposals on EU-NATO cooperation, including the additional ones agreed in December 2017.

Ireland welcomes greater EU-NATO co-operation where it contributes to international peace and security and is focused on avoiding duplication of structures, systems and interoperability standards.  This ensures better coherence and effectiveness on the ground in peace support and crisis management operations.

NATO and the EU currently have twenty two member countries in common but yet it is important to note that the 2016 declaration confirms that EU-NATO cooperation will fully respect the decision making autonomy of both organisations, and will not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member States. This is a strong acknowledgement that Ireland’s policy of neutrality and non-NATO membership will in no way be affected by enhanced cooperation.