The European Council conclusions today will warmly welcome "the historic agreement" reached in Belfast on April 10th, and "its decisive endorsement in the subsequent referendums in both parts of the island".
The statement notes the generous and practical help the EU has provided over the years and reaffirms that the EU will "continue to play an active part in promoting lasting peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland".
It also notes the European Parliament's request to the Council and Commission to consider as a matter of urgency how the agreement can be supported in practical terms and how to support the new opportunities arising from it. The summit invites the Commission to make appropriate proposals.
Yesterday the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, thanked his colleagues for their support. It is expected he will have an informal meeting today with Mr Blair, less structured than is normally the case at thee summits, because of the demands on the prime minister's time as president of the Council.
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