International Relations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Questions (21)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

21. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic relations Ireland has with Croatia, which on 1 July 2013 will become the newest and 28th member state of the European Union; the constructive engagements he has had with the Croatian Government over the past six months during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU; the measures he will be taking in the months and years ahead for the benefit of enhanced Irish-Croatian relations; his views on whether there will be more significant trade links between the two nations together in the Single Market; when he expects to be in a position to travel to Croatia to meet with his counterpart in Zagreb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30655/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diplomatic and bilateral relations between Ireland and Croatia are excellent, and we very much look forward to building on these as Croatia accedes to the Union. The importance that Ireland attaches to Croatian accession and to our bilateral relations was demonstrated when President Higgins paid his first State Visit to Croatia from 5 – 9 June this year. Ireland has been positively associated with Croatia's accession process from the beginning. It was during our Presidency of 2004 that Ireland sought and achieved a decision on granting Croatia candidate status. We have remained closely engaged with Croatia since then, including during our current Presidency. In addition to meetings in Brussels at the regular Council sessions, last month First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ms. Vesna Pusi visited Dublin and held discussions with myself and Minister of State Creighton. I held talks in Dublin last September with Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Neven Mimica, who has since been nominated as Croatia's first European Commissioner. Minister of State Creighton accompanied President Higgins on his State Visit to Croatia earlier this month. Prior to this, Minister of State Creighton attended the Croatia Summit in July 2012 and also met with Foreign Minister Pusi. As Croatia joins the family of members of the European Union, I expect that our bilateral and trade relations will continue to strengthen and deepen. I look forward to representing the Irish Presidency in Zagreb on 30 June for the accession celebrations.