Cowen issues new defence proposal

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has announced a joint Irish, Finnish, Swedish and Austrian proposal on defence.

Minister Brian Cowen said the group is proposing alternative language on the mutual defence issues under consideration at the InterGovernmental Conference.

Their wording suggests that if a member state is a victim of armed aggression, it may request aid and assistance from other member states.

The current wording on the table from the Italian presidency says the other member states shall have an obligation of aid and assistance in the event of armed aggression.