Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
39 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters to be discussed with US President Bush in June 2004; the duration and number of meetings to be held with the President when here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14518/04]
View answer72 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an agenda for the planned EU/US summit to be attended by President Bush in June 2004 has been finalised; if a location has been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 72 together.
The Government attaches considerable importance to the EU's relationship with the US and we look forward to continuing our work as EU Presidency to enhance this close transatlantic partnership. There has been a noticeable improvement in the relationship since last year and as EU Presidency, we are building on this improvement. We aim to deliver a summit that restores stability and vitality to the EU-US relationship and reconfirms the importance of this partnership.
We are currently working closely with our EU partners and the US authorities on the preparation of this important meeting. The summit will be held in Dromoland Castle, County Clare. President Bush is scheduled to arrive on the evening of 25 June and the summit will take place on the morning of 26 June, followed by a working lunch. After a press conference, President Bush will depart. At the summit, the EU will be represented by the Taoiseach and myself. President Prodi will lead the Commission delegation and High Representative Solana will also attend.
While the agenda for the summit has not yet been finalised, it would be our expectation that following the appalling act of terrorism perpetrated against innocent people in Madrid in March, counter-terrorism will be a key area of co-operation with the US for discussion at the summit. As regards other international issues, we anticipate that the Arab-Israeli peace process, as well as wider relations with the Middle East region, all aspects of the Iraqi situation, Afghanistan, North Korea and non-proliferation are some of the issues which are likely to feature in our discussions. The summit is also likely to highlight the continued commitment and leadership of the EU and the US in the global fight against HIV/AIDs.
On economic and trade issues, too often the focus tends to be on disputes rather than on areas of co-operation. For that reason, we believe it is important to put these differences into perspective and, under Ireland's Presidency, we are concentrating on the positive economic agenda between the EU and the US, while seeking to manage effectively the limited number of outstanding disputes, which account for less than 3% of overall trade. It is expected that the EU-US Summit will recognise the need to strengthen and widen the transatlantic economic relationship to include the many aspects which affect our investment relationship as well as trade in goods and services. In order to advance this objective, the summit is likely to consider how to conduct a fundamental reassessment of all aspects of our bilateral economic relationship, identify any underlying impediments to trade and investment and accelerate their elimination, as well as identify areas for increased integration and growth. The summit is likely to acknowledge the valuable role played by business, consumer and other organisations in this process.
I believe a close EU-US partnership is central to prosperity and growth on both sides of the Atlantic and is key to addressing many of the issues on the international agenda. Our belief as EU Presidency is that the best way to restore confidence in the relationship is to focus on pragmatic co-operation on specific issues and to consult regularly and honestly with each other on an ongoing basis. As Presidency, we are working to reaffirm the strength, depth and significance of this relationship in a spirit of partnership with the aim of concluding a successful summit on June 26.
