Cowen stands firm on neutrality clause

IN a surprise move, a number of countries refused to accept a clause acknowledging Ireland’s neutrality in the new EU Constitution in Brussels.

But a mutual defence clause saying EU member countries would automatically come to one another's aid would not be in keeping with our traditional non-aligned status said Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen said.

However, Irish Commissioner David Byrne appeared to question Ireland's neutral code when he accused the country of sitting on its hands and being squeamish about assuming collective defence roles.

Foreign affairs ministers preparing for the summit of EU leaders this weekend brushed aside a proposed new clause that would make participation voluntary.

Mr Cowen, who tabled the new clause on behalf of Ireland, Austria, Sweden and Finland, reiterated that this was a red line issue on which we would not be moved.

It would not be acceptable either to neutral Malta and Cyprus, both due to join the Union in May.

"There is a clause in the treaty acknowledging the NATO tradition. There is no reason why there should not be one acknowledging the other tradition,", he said.

Britain, Germany and France seen as the core group pushing for greater defence cooperation refused to accept the new wording. The Italian presidency has said it will come up with a fresh compromise proposal.

Mr Cowen said the issue will now go to the summit where, with a number of other difficult issues, it will be trashed out during Friday and Saturday in a bid to finalise the Constitution this weekend.

Mr Byrne speaking to the Institute of European Affairs said the rift between the US and most of Europe's leaders over Iraq had created an acceptance of a greater European role in defence and security and he believed this would be reflected in the Constitution.

"This is as it should be, even if some member states, including Ireland, are more squeamish than others about assuming collective defence or security roles modern day neutrality is not about sitting on ones hands, relying on others to help out,", he said.

A new opinion poll showed Irish people increased their support for a common EU Defence and Security policy by 2% over the past six months to bring it to 53%.