Kohl to focus mainly on EU issues during official visit

THE FOCUS will be almost entirely on European Union issues during the two day official visit of the German Chancellor, Dr Helmut Kohl, to Ireland.

German officials expect Dr Kohl and the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, to discuss institutional reform and expansion of the EU as well as the issues surrounding the introduction of a single currency in 1999.

There are no major bilateral conflicts between Ireland and Germany, and the visit is basically a gesture of friendship.

"The visit is mainly designed to underline the good relations that already exist between the two countries," an official said.

Dr Kohl has often expressed the view that small EU member states should be treated with the same respect as their larger neighbours, and he clearly regards the Irish as "good Europeans" who share his vision of a united Europe.

Bonn has been impressed by the efficiency of Ireland's handling of the EU presidency and, in his speech opening the Frankfurt Book Fair yesterday, Dr Kohl paid tribute to Ireland's role in the events preceding German reunification.

"In December 1989, we sought the approval of our western partners and allies at the EC summit in Strasbourg. The Irish prime minister, Charles Haughey, backed without any ifs or buts the right of the Germans to live in an undivided country. I'd like to thank Ireland for this again in the name of the whole German people with all my heart," he said.