IRISH NEUTRALITY: The Government has welcomed the growing UN policy of using regional organisations such as the EU to carry out missions but would not allow Ireland's military neutrality to be eroded in the process, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahern, told the Forum on Europe.
The Minister reiterated the Government's pledge to meet the UN target of allocating 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product to Official Development Assistance (ODA), although he did not specify that this would be achieved by the end of 2007, as promised by the Taoiseach in his address to the UN Millennium Summit in New York four years ago.
"As part of Ireland's role in the creation of a more effective UN, I want to stress today that Ireland will meet the UN's 0.7 per cent GNP overseas development aid target," the Minister said.
The UN would remain the "cornerstone" of Ireland's foreign policy and was "vital" to national security.
"Ireland, as a neutral state, does not take part in military alliances. And, Ireland, like most small nations, sees the United Nations as the ultimate guarantor of our freedom and our safety."
Ireland was determined to ensure that the EU played an active role in support of the UN, based on effective multilateralism.
Last year, the EU drew up a European Security Strategy. "Crucially for Ireland, this strategy backs a strong and effective United Nations. Against this background, I especially welcome the growing UN policy of using regional organisations to assist it in carrying out its peacekeeping and conflict resolution functions."
A further dimension of EU-UN co-operation was the rapid response capability being put together by the EU, "the so-called 'battlegroups'," which would be ready on an initial basis in 2005, with the full complement of formations of 1,500 troops available in 2007.
Mr Ahern said that "it is hoped that the formation of this rapid response capability will enable the EU to respond effectively to situations at the UN's request, where it has often been unable to do so in the past".
"I want to make it clear today in any consideration of Irish troops acting overseas that this Government will not allow our policy of military neutrality to be eroded. The triple-lock will remain. Ireland will only participate in military activity overseas with Government, Dáil and UN mandate."
Welcoming Mr Kofi Annan to the Forum, the Minister said the UN was "exceptionally well-served by a strong, wise and well-respected Secretary General" whose name had "become synonymous with the central role the UN plays in the maintenance of international peace and security".