Minister Burke says democrats must build on ceasefire opportunity

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ray Burke, T.D. speaking in Brussels today, has said that "the challenge facing all democrats now is to build on the opportunity presented by the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire." The Minister, who was addressing a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers for the first time, said that "we intend to enter into substantive negotiations on the 15th of September to agree a lasting and equitable peace."

Mr Burke briefed his colleagues on recent developments and current prospects in Northern Ireland. He expressed the Government's appreciation for the EU's continuing support for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. He added that by including a budgetary provision of 100mecu (£80 million) for its Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland in 1998, the EU had "once again clearly demonstrated practical support for this historic process."

Addressing the European Commission's recent proposals in the future development of the Union, entitled Agenda 2000, Minister Burke said that it represented "a very important step in the process of preparing the Union" for challenges ahead. The Minister said that cohesion must continue to be "a major pillar in the development of the Union. The structural and cohesion funds will remain of particular importance to Ireland during the coming funding period. Ireland has substantial development needs and will continue to require significant levels of funding to meet these needs and to consolidate the economic progress which we have made."

Mr Burke said he attached particular importance to ensuring that the purpose of the structural funds under objective 1 "is met fully and in a sustainable way." He added that "we welcome the recognition by the Commission of the principle that any change must be gradual. I look forward to this principle being reflected appropriately throughout the next funding period in a way which addresses our continuing and significant development needs."

The Minister said that "Ireland is committed to the process of enlargement which is in the interests of the European Union as a whole. The process must be carried forward in a way which preserves and makes it possible to build on what the Union has achieved. Those features of the Union which have made it to attractive to prospective new members need to be retained."

Mr Burke described employment as "an issue which is at the heart of how our citizens view their well being. I have no doubt that progress among the member states is addressing the issue of employment will help to support and sustain progress towards EMU."Top