EUROPEAN UNION

Irish Presidency: Enlargement and Relations with New Neighbors at the Top of the Agenda

Ireland, which took over the Presidency of the European Council on January 1, identified the coming enlargement and relations with new neighbors as the first of its four priority objectives. Ireland is determined to advance the Union's pace of accession of Bulgaria and Romania by targeting the end of negotiation to end of 2004 and their possible accession in January 2007. In the Western Balkans, the current Presidency is to continue on the full implementation of the commitments made in the shared EU-Western Balkans Thessaloniki Agenda, and helping the countries of the region towards their objective of eventual integration into EU structures. Commission’s Opinion on Croatia's application for EU membership is expected during Ireland's Presidency. Adoption of 'Action Plans' for a number of new EU neighbors at the European Council in June 2004 is also scheduled. In relations with Russia, the focus will be on political dialogue on regional and global issues of concern. For more information on Presidency’s Programme see http://www.eu2004.ie/.
 

T.H.