Ireland takes up EU presidency
The Government was taking up the EU presidency today for the sixth time.
The occasion was being marked by an EU flag-raising ceremony at Dublin Castle where Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will speak of his plans for the coming six months.
“Our presidency occurs at an auspicious time for the European Union,” he said.
“During the next six months it will grow from 15 member states to twenty-five - its largest single expansion.
“We will mark this historic day here in Dublin with a major event to welcome our old friends and new partners into the European Union.
“The EU plays a major role on the world stage. We intend to engage with our partners and ensure all interests and concerns are taken into account.
“We will emphasise transatlantic relations in particular. We will also stress the importance of the world’s nations working together in the interest of effective international relations.
“And we intend to make further progress on the issues of conflict prevention and human rights.”
A key priority for the Irish Government is to advance negotiations on a new constitution for the enlarged Union.
Although EU leaders failed to agree new terms during the Italian Presidency, Foreign Minister Brian Cowen has said he will move to conclude negotiations “if the atmosphere is right.”
The advancement of the EU’s Lisbon competitiveness strategy – which aims to transform the EU into the world’s leading knowledge-based economy by 2010 – will also be a focus over the next six months.
Promoting economic growth, innovation and employment, fighting crime and developing common policies on asylum and immigration, as well as developing an EU foreign policy based on stronger ties with the United Nations, will all be areas worked upon during the Irish Presidency.
The Taoiseach is set to lead the European delegation at five summits.
There will be over 100 meetings held in Ireland altogether, many of which will take place outside Dublin.
Responding to a World Day of Peace message by Pope John Paul II, Mr Ahern added: “The message from His Holiness on this World Day of Peace could not be timelier.
“The peace agenda that he sets out is one to which Ireland and our partners in the European Union subscribe and which will inform our work during the Irish Presidency.”
Ireland first held the presidency in 1975, and the forthcoming 2004 Presidency will be its sixth.
The programme will be launched with a meeting between the Government and the Commission at Dublin Castle on January 6.
