JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 2008

Priorities for the Czech Republic’s Presidency of the EU: Discussion with Czech Ambassador.

Chairman

Our next guest, whom I am glad to welcome, is Mr. Tomas Kafka, ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ireland. This is a very important occasion in the calendar of the Czech Republic and also in Ireland's calendar. These days are important in the context of the future of Europe, Ireland's participation in Europe and our anxiety to remain at the centre of Europe, in keeping with the majority of the representatives. As the Ambassador knows, the joint committee is planning to visit his colleagues in the Czech Republic in the new year, and members were anxious to hear from the Ambassador before they do so and to have some indication of the priorities for the Czech Presidency. Needless to say, we all wish the Ambassador well. It falls to each country in its turn to assume the Presidency, and each country has its own contribution to make. Now it is the turn of the Czech Republic.

I give the floor to the Ambassador. We will hear a 15-minute contribution and then members will wish to ask questions.

H.E. Mr. Tomas Kafka

I would like to express my gratitude to the committee for having me here and for giving me the opportunity to present the general scheme of our upcoming EU Presidency.

The Czech Republic assumes the EU presidency at the 20th anniversary of the fall of Iron Curtain and five years after the historic enlargement of the EU. The Czech Republic will be leading the EU in rather difficult times. Elections to the European Parliament will take place in June 2009. Therefore, we are aware of the fact that its legislative activity will be reduced, and all negotiated agendas will be more politicised than usual. Following the European elections, the Czech Presidency will have to start the process resulting in the appointment of a new European Commission. The institutional framework of the Union, particularly the Lisbon treaty, will be another important issue. Developments in the financial markets and economic sector will also have a significant influence on the Czech Presidency.

Work on the agenda of the Czech EU Presidency started in the summer of 2006, and the selected motto of the Czech Presidency — "Europe without barriers" — was unveiled in February 2007. Intensive discussions, held at both working and political level with domestic as well as European partners, have gradually led to the identification of several priority areas. Three E's — economy, energy and external relations, or Europe in the world — are key priorities of the Czech Presidency. In defining its priorities, the Government has built on EU strategic documents and Council conclusions, as well as European Council conclusions. Together with France and Sweden, its fellow partners in the trio Presidency, the Czech Republic has worked out a joint 18-month programme. In accordance with current practice, the Czech Government will present a detailed working programme of the Czech Presidency at the end of December 2008.

The motto of the Czech Presidency calls for a Europe without barriers: a Europe making full use of its economic, human and cultural potential, and therefore capable of holding its own against global, political and economic competition. Given the current turbulent situation in the financial markets and the slowdown of economic growth, this challenge has a strategic importance for Europe. The dismantling of barriers that hamper Europe's potential must go hand in hand with protection against illegal actions that threaten the security and interests of Europeans.

In the key area of competitiveness, the Lisbon strategy for growth and employment should become the principal platform for handling the new global economic situation in the medium and long term. In line with the Lisbon strategy, the Czech Presidency will focus on the development of all the basic freedoms of the Internal Market. It will make an effort to improve the administrative environment for businesses and to enhance employment as well as flexibility in the labour market. At the same time, the process of dismantling external barriers must continue. We must not resign ourselves to the suspension of world trade liberalisation, to unfair competition and to insufficient protection of intellectual and industrial property in third counties.

The Presidency will endeavour to ensure energy security, competitiveness and sustainability in Europe. It will focus on energy supply security through energy savings, replacing imported fossil fuels with new technologies and greater territorial diversity of suppliers. Further, it will strive to achieve efficient co-ordination among transmission system operators, to achieve a single gas and electricity market and to promote the construction of the remaining sections of the existing transmission and transport infrastructure. With regard to climate change, the Presidency will make an effort to finalise the fulfilment of the Kyoto obligations and pave the way for a broad international consensus reflecting the current global economic situation, to be reached in Copenhagen towards the end of 2009.

Europe's position as a global player depends first of all on the development of the transatlantic partnership. Therefore, the Czech Presidency will place an emphasis on close dialogue with the new US Administration in the key areas of security, economy and energy. Within Europe, the Czech Presidency will launch the eastern partnership project, strengthening co-operation with the countries of the eastern dimension of the European neighbourhood policy as well as with the countries of the South Caucasus and the Caspian region. During the Czech Presidency, accession negotiations with the candidate countries Croatia and Turkey will continue. Our priority is to advance the accession negotiations with Croatia as much as possible. The Presidency also focuses on a European prospect for the western Balkan countries, including possible preparations for granting candidate status to some of them. The Presidency is also prepared to continue the development of the southern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy and to help improve relations with the countries involved in this project, including the strengthening of relations between the EU and Israel, and the Middle East peace process in general. The Czech Presidency sees the development of the area of security, freedom and justice as a common interest of the EU. The Presidency will try to progress Schengen co-operation, police and customs co-operation and co-operation in judicial affairs.

The preparation for the EU Council Presidency of the Czech Republic in the first half of 2009 is in its final stage and is running very intensively in all aspects. The Czech Government approved the budget for the Presidency for the years 2007-09 to the total amount of 1.9 billion Czech crowns, or approximately €74 million, in excess of the current budget. In human resources, this led to a substantial increase in numbers of staff of the permanent representation in Brussels, of permanent missions and embassies and of the ministry of foreign affairs in Prague. Alternative ways of increasing the staff by employing university interns, local employees, diplomatic academy students and secondees from other EU states and EU institutions will also be used.

At present, the ministry of foreign affairs has plans to organise approximately 200 events, of which about 70 are to take place in the Czech Republic. Several events will take place outside Prague. One of the biggest Czech Presidency events on the territory of the Czech Republic will be the ministerial meeting EU-Rio group which will take place in Prague in May 2009. Among the biggest events of the Czech Presidency, organised in Prague, will be the 17th joint parliamentary assembly of the ACP-EU, African, Caribbean, Pacific and EU countries, with 500 delegates. This will take place at the beginning of April 2009. The ministerial conference on current issues in the area of development co-operation will take place in January 2009.

One of the important events that may be organised in Prague during the Czech Presidency is the Middle East quartet. In addition, four EU summits are planned. A summit with Japan, and possibly with Canada, will take place in the Czech Republic. Venues for summits with the United States and Russia are yet to be determined. The most important events of the political dialogue outside the Czech Republic organised during the Czech EU Council Presidency include the Asia-Europe, ASEM, ministerial meetings in Vietnam in May 2009, the EU-ASEAN meeting in Cambodia in May 2009 and the EU-Gulf Co-operation Council in Oman in April 2009.

I thank the Chairman and the Deputies and Senators for their attention and I am ready to respond to all questions.

Chairman

I thank Mr. Kafka. We have a number of speakers.

Deputy Billy Timmins

I thank Ambassador Kafka for his presentation. I wish him well in his appointment in Ireland and I wish his country well in taking over the Presidency of the EU at a difficult time, coming up to the European elections. There will also be the undercurrent of the ratification of, or continuing uncertainty about, the Lisbon treaty. When officials from the Czech Republic Embassy spoke with the committee in the past they outlined that the Presidency's main mission would be the three Es, namely, economy, energy and external relations. At that stage, it was not foreseen that the Lisbon treaty would be as hot an issue on the agenda as it will be.

I welcome the commitment in Mr. Kafka's speech to try to enhance the role of the EU in the Middle East peace process. Perhaps the term "peace process" has become a little dated. For the past few years it is anything but a peace process. I believe the EU should try to strengthen its role and use the resources, particularly its human resources, to try to bring both sides in this conflict to some arrangement. Doing that in the Middle East is key to solving the problem of world terrorism. Generations in the region want the issue resolved.

We wish to establish what is the status of the Lisbon treaty in the Czech Republic. There is some uncertainty in that regard because of conflict between the President and the Parliament and I hope Mr. Kafka can provide some indication as to how that might pan out. Does he see the Czech Republic ratifying the treaty? If he does, when might that be? Does he see any possible difficulties arising during the Presidency due to President Klaus not being a supporter of the Lisbon treaty? Without getting into any personal difficulties, can he try to explain this situation? If he feels that, for diplomatic reasons, he cannot elaborate, that is understandable.

Deputy Joe Costello

I too welcome Mr. Kafka, who has a very famous Czech name. Ireland has a long tradition with the Czech Republic, particularly with regard to crystal. Our entire glass industry was based on the professionalism of the Czech people who came here initially in the early 1930s to help out with Waterford Crystal.

I am pleased to see the priorities of the Czech Presidency. It is well worthwhile emphasising a Europe without barriers because that is truly what the European Union is about. Those are the four freedoms we have. It is a shame that any of the basic principles under which the European Union was established should be stunted in any way by limitations. Mr. Kafka will appreciate that in 2004 Ireland opened its boundaries to the ten accession countries. We set a good example during our Presidency of the European Union when the ten accession countries became members.

I am pleased also that Mr. Kafka emphasised the Lisbon strategy. We shall leave aside the Lisbon treaty for the moment but the strategy on growth and employment is at the heart of the problems we face in the current recession. Many countries have deep economic and financial problems but the way out of these is by growth, production, employment and consumption. Any influence in this regard to come from the Czech Presidency will be very welcome.

I am pleased also with the emphasis Mr. Kafka placed on energy and climate change. This is one of the most pressing issues and it is important that it is combined with economic growth. It should not be seen as a problem whereby people feel they have to make major concessions or limit their activity but should be seen as a way forward to new opportunities for industry and employment and a new type of sustainable economy. That is our emphasis.

An open but secure Europe is very much on our agenda also. We agree very strongly with Mr. Kafka on that. Guns and drugs are a major part of the problem we face as an island nation and we are particularly anxious that all efforts be made to ensure that there is broad Europe-wide policing to prevent that cross-border trade between member countries. Such action will be more than welcome.

Deputy Timmins raised the issue of the Lisbon treaty. That is the elephant in the room for all of us. As we speak, discussions are taking place between the 27 Heads of State who are trying to plan a way forward. Ireland would be very happy if the Czech Republic were not an obstacle to our moving forward and if it were a major provider and source of comfort and assistance with our Government, in particular, over the next six months when much negotiation and work must take place. I hope this can be a major source of progress. The ambassador's country is beautiful, as is its capital city and we all look forward to visiting it the not too distant future.

Deputy Noel Treacy

It is a pleasure to have the ambassador, Mr. Kafka, and Mr. Smycek before the joint committee. We salute the Czech Republic on achieving the EU Presidency. We admire its commitment and the resources deployed for the EU Presidency, both from a financial and human resource point of view. It has made a very positive impact within the European Union since joining in 2004 and we wish it continued success.

This is a very challenging time for the European Union and for the world. If ever the Union needed leadership, it is now. It must also assert its position from the point of view of member states, citizens and globally. I admire the statement from the Czech Republic which declares its hope that it can work as a partner with the United States of America. We wish the American President-elect, Mr. Obama, well. He will take office on 20 January. He is putting together a very strong team as part of the new administration and has set out his stall and agenda for the future. He is committed to stimulating economic growth in the United States of America and has set very high job creation targets. It is important that we work in parallel with the United States of America, because the European Union is a union of nations which are distinct, but with much in common.

This is a great opportunity to drive the Lisbon Agenda, from an economic, employment and fiscal point of view. It is critical that there is leadership is available. I hope the Czech EU Presidency can examine the strengths of the Union, especially from an economic perspective. What sectoral and geographical strengths do we have? How can we facilitate the growth of certain industrial sectors? How can we strengthen the areas which do not have the same opportunities or history of economic development as others?

It is critically important from an overall perspective that the European Union uses its own cash and human resources to ensure it can assist economic growth in member states. I endorse the comments of my colleagues Deputies Timmins and Costello. I note the emphasis on the European neighbourhood policy which is very important from the Balkans point of view and from the point of view of what is happening in the Caucuses. It is also important from the point of view of big neighbours. There has never been a greater challenge to the world in terms of economic growth and in financial, security and energy matters. It is important to have strong bilateral relations with the Russian Federation, which must be strengthened and renewed. This is critically important to the European Union from an energy and a consumer demand perspective and for the various economic sectors, especially the food sector. Given its history, the Czech Republic in its current leadership role can provide a catalyst capable of building a new dimension between a growing and confident European Union and the Russian Federation. This will bring stability to our relations and parallel opportunities which I hope will be to the advantage of both. It is very important to enhance the European neighbourhood policy by having stronger bilateral relations with Russia. I recognise that is a challenge for the Czech Republic and that it may be somewhat difficult but we wish it well and believe it has the capacity to meet that challenge.

I refer to the Lisbon treaty, which is very important. We regret that Ireland reached a negative conclusion in that regard. There remains a significant challenge for Irish parliamentarians. We wish to be at the heart of the European Union and at one time we were. We are totally committed to the development of the European project and seek a way to revisit the available options. It is a challenge for both the European Union and Ireland to find a formula for the future.

As my colleagues indicated, there are confused signals coming from the Czech Republic which have not been of assistance as we try to chart the way ahead and eliminate the institutional difficulties. Reform is necessary for the future progress of the European Union. We hope the Czech EU Presidency will give leadership and that it can plot and plan with us, find out how best to ensure the European Union becomes more efficient and more responsive to the needs of each citizen, how each member state can make a greater contribution under the guidance of the Czech EU Presidency.

We wish the Czech Republic every success and salute its work. We are honoured that the delegation is before the committee. We look forward to its closing comments and especially to co-operating and collaborating with the Czech Republic during its EU Presidency during the coming six months. We wish the delegation every success.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

I wish to welcome the ambassador, Mr. Kafka, and his deputy head of mission. It is an important time for the Czech Republic and an interesting time for Ireland. This is the second occasion on which a recent accession country has taken the EU Presidency. I have no doubt that it will be successful because of the preparations that have been made. I agree with my colleague that this is a very challenging time for all of us in the European Union. It would have been helpful if we were able to get beyond the notion of reforming the European Union to get on with the business of managing and running it for the benefit of citizens. I would be interested to hear the delegation's view on the ratification of the Lisbon treaty in the Czech Republic. Will the delegation comment on this?

I very much welcome the Czech Republic's agenda which was set out some time in advance. The economic situation is of the utmost importance. We must try to bring some to the economic policies of the European Union. The notion of individual member states trying to do so on their own does not work and Iceland is a prime example. There have been significant benefits for member states through working collectively, albeit with some autonomy. The capacity to work together to try to craft a package of measures that will help to bring about a restoring of confidence and work towards creating a stimulus in the economy is significant.

I was interested to hear about the delegation's intention to work with the United States of America, which is welcome. It faces similar challenges. Ireland is always very keen to continue the development of that relationship. We depend very much on the USA for foreign direct investment. We hope that in its dialogue with it the Czech Republic does not take away any of our foreign direct investment which we so richly covet.

I agree with the remarks of Deputy Treacy on the necessity to connect more with Russia. I have views on NATO and I am unsure if we should expand it to the borders of Russia. It is not helpful in building a lasting peaceful environment. Although I understand the motivation, in this increasingly globalised world there is a greater emphasis on ensuring peace throughout the European continent. Therefore, there should not be a necessity to put such defence blocs in place. We all have a view on events in Georgia. Some have blamed Russia, but I do not see it that way. I believe Georgia acted in a manner which meant what followed was not surprising. It is clear Russia over-reacted, an issue on which we must work. The French EU Presidency worked very well and brought the European Union to the fore in dealing with issues on our borders. That was a welcome development. I wish the Czech Republic well in its endeavours and in continuing the development of a closer relationship with Russia, or at least in its attempt to build a relationship. There may not be such a relationship to the extent that we would like, but it should not be prevented from developing. I hope the Czech Administration will deal with that issue in the coming six months.

Mr. Kafka mentioned enlargement. Will he tell us his country's views on the accession of Turkey to the European Union? It is a long way down the road but it is important we continue to discuss the issue and keep it on the agenda.

I welcome Mr. Kafka's approach to climate change and energy security, matters which are interlinked with our relationship with Russia. It is important to normalise that relationship, if possible, in order that it will assist us in achieving our long-term goal of maintenance and security of our energy supplies.

Senator Déirdre de Búrca

I thank the Chairman and welcome Mr. Kafka to the joint committee. I apologise for being absent for some of his remarks but there was a vote in the Seanad. I wish him and his country well in their first experience of holding the EU Presidency. I have every confidence it will be run in an effective manner. I am delighted that Mr. Kafka has highlighted the three priority areas for the Presidency as the economy, energy matters and external relations.

Being a member of the Green Party, I will focus on the issue of energy security because it is one about which we have long been concerned and on which we are keen to see the European Union take a leadership role, particularly in developing the renewable energy sector in the Union. I am sure Mr. Kafka is aware of the discussions taking place in Poznan, at which the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, is present, on a successor treaty for the Kyoto Protocol. Ambitious targets are being looked at and there are great expectations that the European Union will take a leadership role. There are vested interests which feel threatened by some of the proposed changes. It is important, therefore, that the Union shows leadership in this area. It is in the interests of the international community that a consensus is reached on an international treaty. The European Union is an important global player and there is an expectation that it will provide leadership in order that others may follow and that we have some hope that in Copenhagen in December 2009 agreement will be reached on an international climate change package.

Within the European Union I note Mr. Kafka spoke about the issue of green technology and trying to stimulate the development of such technology which we believe has great potential. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, based in Germany, has done some very interesting work on the possibility of securing a new treaty to establish a renewable energy community, similar to the manner in which the EURATOM treaty established a nuclear energy community. Looking to the future, we must realise nuclear energy will not be a primary source for the European Union. Renewable energy sources will play their part alongside nuclear energy. We need to look at how sufficient economic stimuli can be provided to ensure the renewable energy sector develops. The Heinrich Böll Foundation believes such a treaty, into which it has put a great deal of work researching, would be a viable way forward. Perhaps that is something at which the Czech Presidency would look.

The process of appointing a new European Commission will begin during the Presidency. However, there is uncertainty about this and whether the provisions of the Nice treaty or the Lisbon treaty will apply. Assuming the provisions of the Nice treaty apply, when the new Commission is appointed, there will be a commitment to having fewer Commissioners than member states. That poses certain questions. I wish Mr. Kafka luck in that process because it is difficult to know, given the uncertainty, what the size of the Commission will be. It is obvious, from the wishes expressed by the Irish people, that we hope it is the case that every member state will be represented by a Commissioner. I am interested in Mr. Kafka's comments on that issue.

Mr. Kafka mentioned his priorities as regards external relations and that he will emphasise the need for close dialogue with the new US Administration, the priorities of which will become clearer in the coming months. It will be very important to liaise with it. Mr. Kafka also mentioned the need for co-operation with the countries involved in the eastern dimension of the European neighbourhood policy and with the countries of the south Caucuses and Caspian Sea region. It is important to maintain relations and dialogue between the European Union and these parts of the world.

I echo Deputy Dooley's concerns about traditional attitudes towards security in the NATO framework. Perhaps we need to look at something broader than this. Some legacies of NATO relationships mean that the European Union may find itself constrained if it is not able to move beyond it to a wider security framework.

The issue of the missile defence shield has provoked debate within the European Union. What is the opinion of Mr. Kafka's country on it? What stage have the discussions reached?

Senator Terry Leyden

I welcome Mr. Kafka and wish the Czech Republic every success in holding the Presidency of the European Union. It is a great honour. We held it on a number of occasions and it always focuses attention on one's country. As a new member of the European Union, it is a significant undertaking for Mr. Kafka's country but I do not doubt it will be a great success, given the ingenuity of the people of the Czech Republic. I know the Chairman will ensure we will have an opportunity to meet the committee on European affairs during the six months of the EU Presidency.

I was interested in the editorial by a Czech Senator which will not endear itself to the Russian Federation. Apart from this, we look forward to meeting Mr. Kafka during the Presidency. Ireland provided assistance, support and information during the Presidency of Slovenia and such assistance will be forthcoming from the Department of Foreign Affairs which will work closely with Czech Departments during the Presidency.

Chairman

The comments of members give Mr. Kafka a flavour of the response in this country. His programme is very ambitious and we wish him well with it. This is a very interesting time for the European Union and the evolution of the European project. The Union must rediscover its mission and vision and reiterate its purpose in bringing the various countries together and moving forward together with one purpose. Co-operation on social, political and economic matters is essential if we are to develop the European project and bring it to the next phase. The founders of the modern Europe had a vision which we tend to vary from time to time. I have often mentioned to committee members that every time we vary it in a negative way, we reduce its strength. There are people throughout Europe who are negatively disposed towards the European Union and who are professional Eurosceptics. That is their right but the rest of the people of the Community also have a right to hold their views and have them heard.

It should be noted that the western Balkans will be part of the discussions of the committee in the new year. Turkey is regarded as in influential player in the western Balkans. As the ambassador knows, discussions are taking place as we speak.

It is imperative that committee members engage with colleagues throughout the European Union. To ensure the committee is up to date on what is happening they must meet their colleagues whom they can travel to meet or, alternatively, they can come here. That will be part of our programme between now and next June.

H.E. Mr. Tomas Kafka

I thank members for their reactions and questions, of which there were many. I am not sure if I will maintain my concentration and respond to all the issues addressed to me.

The first remark concerned the process of ratification of the Lisbon treaty in the Czech Republic. It may be necessary to make some remarks on the current situation in the Czech Republic. In my view, the process of the adoption of the Lisbon treaty is the beginning of a new era in internal collaboration in the EU. The first 50 years of the existence of the EU were dedicated to the ability to get agreements within the EU. Now we are approaching a new phase where it is necessary not just to learn how to agree with each other but also how to disagree with each other. Perhaps in the future when it will be common to be confronted with difficult issues, it will be necessary to be flexible and emphatic in regard to the position of the other side. The Czech Republic may be in a similar situation to Ireland. We are facing up to that position through the Lisbon treaty. It is necessary to have this debate so that one side does not dominate and totally prevail over the other but we should learn to make the best of this debate.

The debate in the Czech Republic has commenced and it is now necessary to deal not just with our Presidency but some of the Members representing the main party in the parliament, in the Lower Chamber, who are scared that the new face of the EU will mean a deterioration in democratic decision making. It is necessary to respect this position on the floor. However, it is necessary to have a debate where the pro-European side demonstrates that Europe is sufficiently solid to afford such a debate, not to be scared of such a debate, but to accept that it is part of our desire to bring the EU closer to its citizens. This means it will include more emotions. Emotions were, perhaps, never so strong on the European stage. Our task is to accept this and move forward with the goal of making the EU as efficient as possible, motivated not to dominate the agenda but to accept the other side and be patient. A good result is more important than a speedy one.

The process of ratification resumed in the Czech Republic on Tuesday and was postponed but at the beginning of February it is expected that both chambers will move forward. There is still an issue concerning the missile defence. The main party in the coalition, ODS, is willing to work out a merger between the ratification of the Lisbon treaty and the ratification of the respective treaties with the United States concerning the location of the radar on the Czech territory. We have more than a month within which both sides must find a compromise, while respecting their opponents, and protect the interests of the Czech Republic. I am convinced that the Czech Republic, like Ireland, is willing to remain at the heart of the EU. Therefore, we understand not just Ireland's position but in a sense we share a similar debate and effort on how to bring the EU not just closer to the citizen but to make it an issue for all our citizens.

The second point related to "Europe without barriers" and how to respond to the economic challenges of our time. Our motto for the Presidency is "Europe without barriers". In our view the abolition of the barriers is a call for the endorsement of existing rules. It is not necessary to be fanatical about supporting all the details but our citizens are concerned they are facing barriers and that Europe is freer and less protected. It is a contribution to the liberalisation of Europe but on the other hand we have to adhere to our rules for the sake of our citizens and their right to feel at home in Europe. Our response to the economic crisis has to be ad hoc and flexible but the long-term position must be predictable and based on our proven rules and, if necessary, must protect all the advantages of the free market and free taxation in our country in order that we do not throw out the child with the bath water.

The next question was on the Middle East peace process. Compared to France, we are aware that the Czech Republic is not a big power. Nonetheless we hope we have good connections and with the co-ordinated approach of the United States much can be achieved. It is necessary to await the outcome of the general election in Israel to see how ambitious our partners in the Quartet will be. If the core theme of the French Presidency was leadership, our Presidency will seek to promote flexibility. We should facilitate good debate and prepare a common ground for arriving at good solutions. The Czech Republic will show that it is not merely a facilitator but the driving force behind those solutions.

On the question of the transatlantic agenda, for us it is necessary that the relationship between the Czech Republic and the United States has substance, not only in terms of protocol issues but also in terms of prestige. It is important to be aware that for the United States there are many different potential partners and the European Union must be a really attractive one. We have to work out the questions on which there is expected to be a similar approach on both sides or which are essential for both sides. Therefore, the priorities for us are to be the energy question, including the renewable energy and climate change issue. Those are issues both countries should put on our mutual agenda. Other priorities include a solution to the conflict in Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process. These are the important issues we expect the new Administration in the United States to pay attention to in terms of our proposals. It would be ridiculous to design something that has no connection with reality.

Chairman

I do not wish to rush Mr. Kafka but we must vacate the room shortly. We will invite him back before the committee again.

H.E. Mr. Tomas Kafka

We can make that arrangement. On the question of Turkey's accession, it is necessary to keep that process alive but strictly on the basis of mutual merits. It is not sufficient for Turkey to deliver in that respect but the European Union must do so also. It is necessary to communicate that to ensure both sides are aware it is a worthwhile aim but it is necessary to handle it by way of a common understanding.

In terms of Russia, the advantage for the Czech Presidency is that we have had many good and bad experiences with Russia. We are not concerned about the question of expanding Russian foreign policy but we are convinced that it is necessary to design this relationship on the level of an orchestrated European approach and with more self-confidence than previously.

Chairman

I thank the ambassador for attending and addressing the committee. I have no doubt we will seek further briefings from him. I acknowledge the presence also of Josef Smycek, his deputy head of mission. The meeting has been very informative and we hope the Czech Republic has a very successful Presidency.

H.E. Mr. Tomas Kafka

On behalf of the Presidency I thank the Chairman and present him with a tie.

Chairman

I thank the ambassador.

The joint committee went into private session at 1.05 p.m. and adjourned at 1.25 p.m. until 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 18 December 2008.