From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice
Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice
On 21 June 2002, the Irish Government made a National not prejudice its traditional policy of military neutrality.
Declaration[1] at the Seville European Council emphasis- The Treaty on European Union makes clear that the
ing its commitment to the European Union’s security and Union’s security and defence policy shall not prejudice
defence policy. the specific character of the security and defence policy
of certain Member States.
Background 4. In line with its traditional policy of military neu-
trality, Ireland is not bound by any mutual defence com-
After the first failed Irish referendum on the Treaty of mitment. Nor is Ireland party to any plans to develop
Nice, EU Leaders met to discuss the outcome of the Irish a European Army. Indeed, the Nice European Council
Referendum in Seville (Spanish Presidency of the Council recognised that the development of the Union’s capacity
of the European Union.) Out of the meeting came decla- to conduct humanitarian and crisis management tasks
rations known as the Seville Declarations on the Treaty does not involve the establishment of a European Army.
of Nice 5. The Treaty on European Union specifies that any
At the Seville European Council (21–22 June 2002) the decision by the Union to move to a common defence
other EU14 governments accepted an Irish declaration would have to be taken by unanimous decision of the
that spelled out the triple lock - UN mandate; cabinet Member States and adopted in accordance with their re-
approval; Dáil Éireann approval - on Irish participation spective constitutional requirements. The Government
in EU activities of a military nature. The triple lock was of Ireland have made a firm commitment to the people
nothing new as the Government never deployed Irish de- of Ireland, solemnized in this Declaration, that a referen-
fence forces without UN approval to maintain Military dum will be held in Ireland on the adoption of any such
neutrality, and moreover the declaration had no legal status, decision and on any future Treaty which would involve
so this measure on the part of the Irish government must Ireland departing from its traditional policy of military
be understood primarily as a political signal to the Irish neutrality.
electorate. In response to the Irish declaration, the Euro- 6. Ireland reiterates that the participation of contin-
pean Council issued a declaration of its own. It recog- gents of the Irish Defence Forces in overseas operations,
nised the right of Ireland (and all other member states) including those carried out under the European security
to decide in accordance with National Constitutions and and defence policy, requires (a) the authorisation of the
laws whether and how to participate in any activities un- operation by the Security Council or the General Assem-
der the European Security and Defence Policy. bly of the United Nations, (b) the agreement of the Irish
It led to the second Irish referendum on the Treaty of Government and (c) the approval of Dáil Éireann, in ac-
Nice. cordance with Irish law.
7. The situation set out in this Declaration would be
National Declaration by Ireland unaffected by the entry into force of the Treaty of Nice.
In the event of Ireland’s ratification of the Treaty of Nice,
to the EU Council – Seville, 21 this Declaration will be associated with Ireland’s instru-
ment of ratification.
June 2002[2][3]
1. Ireland reaffirms its attachment to the aims and princi-
ples of Charter of the United Nations, which confers pri-
Declaration of the European
mary responsibility for the maintenance of internation- Council[4]
al peace and security upon the United Nations Security
1. The European Council takes cognizance of the National
Council.
Declaration of Ireland presented at its meeting in Seville
2. Ireland recalls its commitment to the common for-
on 21–22 June 2002. It notes that Ireland intends to asso-
eign and security policy of the European Union as set out
ciate its National Declaration with its act of ratification of
in the Treaty on European Union, adopted at Maastricht,
the Treaty of Nice, should the people of Ireland in a ref-
amended at Amsterdam and approved on each occasion
erendum decide to accept the Treaty of Nice.
by the Irish people through referendum.
2. The European Council notes that the Treaty on
3. Ireland confirms that its participation in the Euro-
European Union provides that any decision to move to
pean Unions common foreign and security policy does
a common defence shall be adopted in accordance with
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice
the respective constitutional requirements of the Mem-
ber States
See also
3. The European Council recalls that under the terms • Irish neutrality
of the Treaty on European Union the policy of the Union
shall not prejudice the specific character of the security
and defence policy of certain Member States. Ireland has
References
drawn attention, in this regard, to its traditional policy of [1] "Statement on the Seville European Council, Dáil
Military Neutrality. Éireann". Department of the Taoiseach. 2002.
4. The European Council acknowledges that the http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/
Treaty on European Union does not impose any binding index.asp?locID=367&docID=900. Retrieved
mutual defence commitments. Nor does the develop- 2009-02-13.
ment of the Union’s capacity to conduct humanitarian [2] "National Declaration by Ireland, 21 June 2002".
and crisis management tasks involve the establishment Department of Foreign Affairs. 2002-06-21.
of a European Army. http://www.foreignaffairs.irlgov.ie/home/
5. The European Council confirms that the situation index.aspx?id=26264. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
referred to in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 above would be un- [3] "National Declaration by Ireland at the Seville
changed by the entry into force of the Treaty of Nice. European Council". European Navigator.
6. The European Council recognises that, like all 2002-06-21. http://www.ena.lu/
Member States of the Union, Ireland would retain the national_declaration_ireland_seville_european_council_21_june_
right, following the entry into force of the Treaty of Nice, Retrieved 2009-02-13.
to take its own sovereign decision, in accordance with its [4] "Department of Foreign Affairs - Declaration of the
Constitution and its laws, on whether to commit military European Council, 21 June 2002". Eu2004.ie.
personnel to participate in any operation carried out un- http://www.eu2004.ie/home/index.aspx?id=26265.
der the European Security and Defence Policy. Ireland, in Retrieved 2009-02-13.
its national Statement, has clearly set out its position in
this regard.
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Categories:
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