Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to pay an official visit to EU presidency holders Slovenia, it emerged today.
Mr Ahern is expected to hold talks with prime minister Janez Jansa in Ljubljana during the one-day trip on February 26th.
The Balkan state joined the EU in 2004 when Mr Ahern presided over Ireland's presidency of the Union.
"The Taoiseach's official visit is in the context of Slovenia holding the EU presidency," said a Government spokesman.
The country gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. It is the first EU accession state to hold the presidency, which rotates every six months.
The Taoiseach previously held talks with Mr Jansa on the margins of the EU Africa Summit in Lisbon in December.
Slovenia aims to use its presidency to advance work on the Reform Treaty, climate change and EU energy policy.
It is also expected to help the EU accession process of fellow Balkan states like Croatia and Macedonia.
Croatia began accession talks in 2005 and could become the bloc's 28th member as soon as 2010.
Macedonia, which was recognised as an official candidate for membership two years ago, is still awaiting a start date for its entry negotiations.
Speaking at the handover of the presidency from the Portuguese on January 1st, the Taoiseach urged the Slovenian government to familiarise itself with the individual concerns of each EU member state.
"Taking the time to understand different member states' positions and difficulties can reap rewards when it comes to brokering agreement and consensus," he said.