The Czech Republic taking over the presidency of the EU is a historic milestone in European integration, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin claimed today.
The formerly Communist Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
The Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, takes over the rotating six-month presidency from France at midnight.
The Czech Republic will have to make key decisions in coming months on the economic downturn, EU budgets, the Lisbon Treaty and energy security, the minister noted.
“This is an historic undertaking for the Czech Republic,” said Minister Martin.
“This fall of the Berlin Wall anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of how far Europe has travelled during that period.
“The Czech Presidency represents yet another milestone in that hugely positive journey.”
Mr Martin explained that the incoming presidency will have an important role to play in shaping the Union’s continuing response to the current, extremely difficult economic climate.
“These events have underlined the value of having our distinctive European nations work closely together under the EU umbrella in order to advance our many shared interests,” he added.
Ireland is due to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty before the current EU Commission term ends in the autumn. Mr Martin said Ireland needed the support of its EU partners in forging important guarantees into the text of the controversial charter.
He explained: “My prime objective for the coming year is to resolve the issues surrounding the Lisbon Treaty so that Ireland can continue to occupy its rightful place as a positive and constructive EU member state, one which wields real influence from a position at the heart of the Union.”
Eurosceptic Czech president Vaclav Klaus angered the Government in November when he held talks with Lisbon Treaty opponent Declan Ganley during a state visit to Ireland.
The Czech presidency will also start work on reviewing the EU’s spending plans from 2007-2013.
“This will be important in preparing the Union’s future budget, which is of huge importance to us. The Czech Presidency has also set itself an ambitious agenda with regard to sustainable and secure energy,” Mr Martin continued.
PA