Ireland's recent initiative on nuclear disarmament was noted favourably in the summit conclusions on foreign policy dealing with the recent Indian and Pakistan nuclear tests. The conference made some small progress in developing relations with Turkey. In response to yesterday's meeting in Moscow between President Yeltsin and Mr Milosevic, a spokesman for the incoming Austrian presidency said their agreement did not adequately meet conditions set out in a declaration on Kosovo issued on Monday.
The conclusions express deep concern over the situation in South Asia following the tests and calls for resumed political dialogue. They call on both states to adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
They go on: "The European Council notes the reaffirmation by member-states, nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states alike, of their determination to fulfil the commitments relating to nuclear disarmament under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It took note of the recent initiative on this issue by several countries, including Ireland and Sweden."
The draft conclusions had contained a brief mention of the commitments under the treaty. Ireland supported a Swedish move to amplify the references in the final conclusions. The outcome is surprising in so far as the Government had not initially expected the two nuclear states and members of nuclear alliances to take up the matter.
The British presidency put considerable effort into making progress on Turkey's relations with the EU, mindful of that country's geopolitical importance for Europe. Its draft statement included references to 12 accession states, specifically adding Turkey to the 11 formally identified at last December's Luxembourg summit and based on the agreement there that it is eligible to join the EU. A skilful draft sought to develop an inclusive vocabulary.
The text was watered down overnight following pressure by Greece, Germany and Luxembourg. The reference to 12 accession states was deleted and specific references to the Luxembourg conclusions inserted. These were rejected as inadequate by Turkey, which insisted it should be formally included in the list of accession states.
Although their draft was diluted, the British insisted that it represents progress, "a step forward", as Mr Blair put it.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, agreed with this assessment. In particular, the way had been cleared, he said, for the European Commission to develop its accession strategy with Turkey, "taking into account Turkey's own ideas", including harmonising its legislation with that of the EU.
