I thank the Chairman and members. I welcome, as always, the opportunity to meet the joint committee to review the agenda of next week's General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Council meetings. I propose to brief the committee on the key matters discussed at these Councils in December before turning to the matters on the agenda for this month. The December General Affairs Council focussed primarily on preparations for the European Council which was held on 16 and 17 December. It had extensive discussion of enlargement and covered European disaster response, cohesion policy, and implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy. The Council approved regulations providing for the renewal of the existing derogation on the use of Irish by the EU institutions until December 2016. I was disappointed that a Member of the Parliament made what I hope were unintentionally negative reference to the use of Irish in EU institutions. We fought long and hard to have our language given the recognition I think it is due. Even though I am far from a Gaelgoir, I was proud to have achieved that objective during the Irish Presidency. The Foreign Affairs Council discussed political developments in the Western Balkans, Sudan, the Middle East peace process, Somalia, Afghanistan, Moldova, the OSCE, Iran and relations with our strategic partners.
I will now turn to next week's Council meetings. Next week's meeting will be the first General Affairs Council of the incoming Hungarian Presidency, although an informal meeting of Ministers has already been held. The main focus of this month's General Affairs Council will be the preparation of the European Council on 4 February.
The February European Council will examine the thematic issues of energy and innovation and fits within the approach of the President of the European Council, Mr. van Rompuy, to developing the European Council's strategic input to key EU economic sectors. The initial draft of the European Council conclusions on the issue of energy highlights the importance of an integrated and interconnected energy European market. It is anticipated that an effort will be made to set targets for the removal of technical and regulatory barriers hampering the transmission of various energy sources across Europe. The draft conclusions also highlight the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy. During the discussions on these draft conclusions, Ireland has highlighted the importance of securing the necessary investment so that security of supply can be ensured.
On innovation, the first draft of the conclusions recognise investment in innovation as a key driver of growth and as playing important role in creating sustainable employment and tackling the most critical societal challenges, such as climate change, aging populations, sustainable development and food and energy security. The draft conclusions highlight the importance of completing the European research area and improving the framework conditions for innovative companies, including standardisation procedures, the role of innovation in public procurement and the strengthening of intellectual property rights. Among other contributions to discussions on these draft conclusions, we have sought to highlight intellectual property rights as an aspect of the framework conditions which can be improved. Ireland has a particular interest in this discussion given the responsibilities of the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
The primary focus of the working sessions at the February European Council will be the issues of energy and innovation but heads of state and government may avail of the lunchtime discussion to update on the work being carried out on foot of last December's European Council consideration of reinforcing the stability of the eurozone. The substantive follow-up to these issues at European Council level, including the proposed European Financial Stability Mechanism, is anticipated to take place at its March 2011 meeting.
The Hungarian Presidency will present to Council its Presidency programme. It will also present to Ministers at the General Affairs Council a road map on its proposed handling of the implementation of the European semester, which envisages that member states will present stability and convergence programmes to the Commission in the spring of each year to facilitate greater ex ante co-ordination of economic policies and discussion of national fiscal policy intentions throughout the Union before they take the form of detailed budgetary proposals later in the year. The General Affairs Council will also hear a presentation from the Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn on the EU Strategy for the Danube region. The Hungarian Presidency will also present its road map for Roma inclusion. These issues are particularly significant for the Hungarian Presidency.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, has proposed to focus discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council on the situation on Tunisia, Belarus and Lebanon. The Council will discuss the current political turbulence in Tunisia following the downfall of former President Ben Ali. The Council is likely to endorse a clear message of solidarity with the Tunisian people in their peaceful struggle for democracy. The clear priority remains the organisation of free, fair and credible elections as soon as can be arranged within the six month timeframe allowed under the Tunisian constitution. A range of measures for extending practical assistance and support to the democratic transition are now being considered at EU level, including an electoral observation mission in due course and, more immediately, an asset freeze aimed at the family of the deposed President if this is be considered helpful by the Tunisian authorities.
Ministers will discuss Belarus following the deeply flawed presidential election on 19 December and the subsequent violent crackdown on opposition candidates, political activists, civil society and journalists. Ireland strongly condemned the use of force and widespread arrests by the authorities in the wake of the election. Those still in custody should be released. Ministers are expected to agree a package of measures aimed at the political and administrative leaders most associated with the conduct of the election and its violent aftermath. In discussions in Brussels on these measures, Ireland has argued for a firm and swift response by the EU. The EU has always made it clear that it is ready to engage positively with Belarus. However, this policy is conditional on respect for the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights. As members will be aware, Ireland has developed a close relationship with the people of Belarus, particularly through the valuable work of NGOs such as the Chernobyl Children's Trust. It is perhaps more important, now more than ever, that the EU continues to reach out to civil society in Belarus to support the emergence of an open and democratic society.
The Council will also discuss recent events in Lebanon, in particular the recent collapse of the national unity government and the handing down of indictments against unnamed but suspected senior Hezbollah figures by the special tribunal investigating the February 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri. Efforts to form a new government are underway. President Suleiman has asked the Hezbollah supported candidate to become Prime Minister designate and attempt to form a new Administration. I am sure the Council will wish to send out a clear message of its continuing support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon, urge restraint and intensified dialogue at this sensitive time and at the same time urge full co-operation on the part of all inside Lebanon and the wider region with the special tribunal and its important work.
A brief discussion is expected on the situation in Cote d'lvoire following the disputed presidential elections of late last year. The situation in the country remains serious and the EU has already adopted restrictive measures against former President Gbagbo's regime. Council conclusions will welcome African and UN moves to resolve the situation, note the restrictive measures in place and support continuing humanitarian aid for refugees who have fled the country.
The Sahel and Sudan are also on the Council agenda for Monday. Conclusions will be adopted in both cases but detailed discussions are unlikely. In Sudan, counting is underway in the historic referendum on self-determination for the South. The result will not be known until next month but a vote for secession seems likely. Crucially, the Government of Sudan has stated it will accept the outcome. Ministers will pledge continuing EU support for Sudan at this crucial time in its history while expressing concern at recent hostilities in Darfur.
The security situation in the Sahel continues to deteriorate, with a growing threat in the region from organised crime and terrorist networks. These threats directly affect the local populations and states of the region, especially Mauritania, Mali and Niger. Short conclusions will note the Council's concern at this deterioration, reiterate the European Union's commitment to the region and look forward to the presentation of a comprehensive EU strategy on the Sahel.
Ministers will also consider conclusions on challenges to freedom of religion and belief following the recent horrific attacks against worshippers in the Middle East and elsewhere. Ireland is committed to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief in all cases and will support the draft Council conclusions on intolerance, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief.
Over dinner on Monday evening, High Representative Ashton will set out a work plan on the EU's strategic partners in accordance with the December European Council conclusions. I referred to this matter at a previous meeting. Ministers are expected to focus on Russia, an important partner for the European Union, especially in terms of trade, energy and our common neighbourhood. It is worth recalling that the EU is Russia's largest trading partner and its most important source of investment, while Russia is the European Union's third largest trading partner. Russia is also an important source of energy for EU member states. The discussion at the Council will chart our priorities for the period ahead, building on progress achieved at the EU-Russia summit last month.
On behalf of the Government I express my deepest sympathies to the people of Russia following the appalling bombing at Domodedovo airport on Monday. We were all startled at the images on television of people who were going peacefully about their business only to be attacked by some form of terrorism. The Irish people share a common revulsion at what took place in Russia and wish the Russian people well at this difficult time.
The High Representative is also expected to debrief Ministers on the recent meeting between the EU+3, that is, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the USA, Russia and China, and Iran on the nuclear issue, which took place in Istanbul on 21 and 22 January. High Representative Ashton has publicly expressed her disappointment at the outcome of the meeting - we all share this disappointment - in particular at the unacceptable Iranian preconditions relating to UN sanctions and uranium enrichment. We join with her in hoping that Iran will come back to the table ready to address the valid concerns of the international community in respect of its programme. The appalling human rights situation in Iran is also likely to be touched on. It is important to send a message to Iran that we fully appreciate the concerns and the issues that face the people there but it is equally extraordinary that the Administration has put itself so offside with the international community.
The Chairman mentioned that I will address a committee of the French Senate during the week. I will make it clear that irrespective of the results in the upcoming election in this country, there is common resolve throughout the political community in Ireland that our friends and colleagues in France should understand the significance of our corporation tax rate and that we have no issue with it or wish to interfere should France decide on a competitive rate. That is a matter for the sovereign people of France. I will also make it clear that other propositions not only misunderstand and misinterpret the Irish position but are inimical to Ireland and Europe. I will make the point the Chairman made to me in respect of foreign direct investment, FDI. The Chairman's constituency is an exemplar in this regard. Foreign direct investment into Ireland is not only a win for Ireland but a win for Europe because if FDI is displaced from Europe, we will all be losers. I look forward to hearing the comments of the committee and if there are any questions I would be pleased to address them.
