Minister Burke Underlines Foreign Policy Priorities to Heads of Irish Missions Abroad

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ray Burke, T.D., outlined the priorities of Irish Foreign Policy at a meeting of the Heads of Irish Missions abroad which was held today, Monday,

1 September, in Iveagh House in Dublin.

Speaking to a meeting of 30 Irish Ambassadors, Minister Burke said that the four areas of greatest importance of Irish Foreign Policy were Northern Ireland, the development of the European Union, renewal of the Irish commitment to the United Nations and the encouragement of Irish economic interests abroad.

Northern Ireland

Referring to the new opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving political situation in Northern Ireland, the Minister said " We have the opportunity at last, together with the British Government, to enter negotiations with all the major Northern parties. As a result of the IRA and loyalist cease-fires we can look forward to these negotiations being conducted in a peaceful environment. Our challenge is to produce a lasting and political settlement covering both relationships on this island - that is within Northern Ireland and between North and South - and the relationship between Ireland and Britain."

Europe

The development and enlargement of the European Union includes a number of issues which are of considerable importance to Ireland. Minister Burke explained, " A number of specific issues of particular concern to Ireland are addressed by the Treaty and I would like to highlight these:

- the strengthened provisions on social policy will enhance the human dimension of the Union. As you know, our own proposals on addressing the issue of social exclusion at European level now form part of the Treaty.

- significant progress was made in the area of freedom of movement and on immigration issues on a Union-wide basis. At the same time, Ireland will be able to maintain the Common Travel Area which it shares with the United Kingdom.

- the Treaty maintains Ireland's right to nominate a full member of the Commission.

"I am convinced therefore that the Treaty represents a good deal for Ireland and for Europe.

Within the European Union, our main efforts for the period ahead will be concentrated on Agenda 2000. A key element of Agenda 2000 is the question of enlargement of the Union. We are committed to enlargement which we believe will be in the best interests of the Union as well as the applicant countries."

"We recognise, of course, that we will face a major challenge to protect our national interests in the negotiations on the various issues which make up Agenda 2000. We will face a particular challenge in regard to the next round of structural funding. News of our recent economic progress has clearly made an impression on our Community partners and they will be questioning why Ireland should continue to receive such a high level of structural assistance. The fact is, however, that Ireland's economic progress is very recent and we still have significant development needs. This is not always reflected in international media reporting but the reality is that we will need substantial support from the Union throughout the next round of funding if our development is to be sustained."

"In the negotiations on the Agenda 2000 issues, we will be relying to a great extent on our Embassies in the EU capitals as well, of course, as the Permanent Representation in Brussels. We will need at all times to have a clear perception of the evolving position of our partners. We will also need to ensure that our partners are fully alert to our concerns."

United Nations

As the United Nations faces an era of re-organisation and renewal, Ireland will confirm its commitment to the World body and seek to play a prominent role in its affairs. "The United Nations will continue to be a major focus of our diplomatic efforts. Over the coming year, we will have to prepare our campaign for membership of the Security Council in the year 2000. I know that all of our Heads of Mission played an active role in helping to secure the post of UN Commissioner for Human Rights for President Robinson and I would like to record my appreciation of that. We will need a similar concerted effort if we are to win election to the Security Council.

"Within the UN, we will continue to make a substantial contribution in areas such as UN reform, Human Rights and Disarmament" said the Minister.

Economic Ties

Ireland is a small mixed economy whose welfare is dependent on international trade, the maintenance of links and the creation of new links is important to the country and must be carefully fostered. "Our national prosperity depends in large measure on foreign trade and investment. I believe that Irish diplomatic and consular Missions abroad should continue to be fully involved in this area in full cooperation and coordination with the State agencies concerned. We live in a challenging and competitive world and it is imperative that all of the State's resources abroad are used to best effect for the benefit of our national interests."

"I know that there is a very close and cooperative working relationship between Foreign Affairs and the State agencies, particularly ABT, Bord Fáilte, and the IDA, and I would like to see this continue and intensify. We have seen how effective this cooperation can be in the Ireland Houses which have been successfully developed in a number of countries and I welcome the establishment of the most recent Ireland House in Madrid.

"There are other ways in which our Embassies can promote our economic interests. The Ireland America Economic Advisory Board is a good example of how the remarkable fund of goodwill towards Ireland can be turned to practical advantage. The direct access to their host governments which Ambassadors enjoy is another way in which they can help to promote our economic interests abroad, particularly in the agricultural sector" concluded Minister Burke.Top