Phil Hogan
Question:96 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken to advance the proposals for an EU North America transatlantic foundation to be located in Dublin. [11995/99]
Written Answers. - Foundation for Transatlantic Co-Operation.
In reply to a similar question on 15 December last, I stated that I had read with interest the policy document, prepared by Deputy Hogan's party, which proposed the establishment in Dublin of a foundation for transatlantic co-operation.
As I said on that occasion, any serious proposals designed to strengthen the crucially important relationships between Europe and North America are worthy of close consideration. One of my priorities as Minister for Foreign Affairs is to ensure that co-operation between Europe and the USA, and Europe and Canada, is reinforced and further developed. To that end, and in close consultation with our EU partners, we will continue to be engaged in the ongoing transatlantic dialogue in an active and constructive manner.
I also pointed out that there already exists a number of frameworks within which EU-North American relations are conducted, for example, the Transatlantic Economic Partnership, and its associated joint action plan, which aims to accelerate economic growth through the reduction of technical barriers to trade, services and investment between the EU and USA. We have the Joint EU-Canada Declaration and Action Plan, which covers, among other issues, economic and trade relations. Discussions are continuing between the EU and Canada on the development of an EU-Canada Trade Initiative – ECTI. Regular summit meetings between the EU and Canada, and the EU and USA, are a distinctive feature of the strong relationships involved. The next summit meetings with Canada and the USA are due to take place in Bonn next month. It is important to emphasise that the existing frameworks are relatively new and are still being developed and consolidated. My opinion, which is shared by my EU colleagues, is that they should be given time to work. The recent experience of trade frictions between the EU and North America has highlighted the importance of developing and strengthening these mechanisms. I may say that the policy document provides a useful summary guide to these framework arrangements.
It remains my opinion that if the document helps to stimulate a greater public awareness of the importance of the transatlantic relationship, it will have made a worthwhile contribution to the discussion of this question. While I share the general aim inspiring the proposal, it is essential that any new institution, such as the proposed foundation, should not duplicate the existing frameworks which already provide valuable channels for further developing the transatlantic dialogue. Ireland continues to be closely involved in promoting that dialogue through the EU agencies responsible for its conduct. In my reply of 15 December, I noted that the proposal also contained significant financial implications which would have to be assessed with particular care. My view has not changed since then. One would need to be fully satisfied with regard to both of these factors if the proposed project were to be effectively advanced.