Lisbon Treaty values will assist conflict prevention
An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Preas Ráiteas
Department of Foreign Affairs Press Release
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Lisbon Treaty values will assist conflict prevention
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, T.D.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, T.D. discussed the values enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty - the rule of law, human rights, conflict prevention and the principles of the United Nations Charter with President Buzek, President of the European Parliament today.
"The Treaty is the best way to ensure that we never again witness the events that occurred in Poland 70 years ago which precipitated the Second World War and resulted in much of our continent being locked in a totalitarian grip for 50 years" Minister Martin said .
"The freedoms we enjoy by virtue of our membership of the European Union should never be taken for granted," the Minister added. "The Treaty gives the Union the tools it needs to speak with a clear voice on the international stage and engage in more effective confliction prevention and peacekeeping."
"Irish voters can be reassured that the legally-binding guarantees secured in June mean that our traditional policy of military neutrality will be fully respected. There can be no European army and no conscription.
The European Council has explicitly stated that this guarantee – like the guarantees on taxation and the right to life – will be "legally binding" and that they will soon be attached to the Treaties as a Protocol. Protocols are an integral part of the Treaties and have full legal status. Furthermore, this guarantee on security and defence is not open to interpretation by the European Court of Justice since the Court has virtually no say over foreign policy questions."
The guarantee, soon to be enshrined in a Protocol, could not be clearer. Citing the guarantees, Minister Martin said:
"The Treaty of Lisbon does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality;"
"The Treaty of Lisbon does not provide for the creation of a European army or for conscription to any military formation;" and
"It does not affect the right of Ireland to determine the nature and volume of its defence and security expenditure"
"Attempts to dismiss operations such as this as some form of imperialism or a "militarisation of Europe" are an insult to the professionals involved and to the vulnerable they were sent to Chad to protect," Minister Martin concluded.
ENDS+++
Press Office
08 September 2009
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