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Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 May 2018

Wednesday, 30 May 2018

Ceisteanna (14, 19, 20, 21)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

14. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the EU West Balkans summit in Sofia, Bulgaria on 17 May 2018. [22242/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

19. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the EU summit meeting on the Western Balkans in Sophia. [22603/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

20. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Bulgaria and the issues that were discussed. [22611/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

21. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if the suggested USA tariffs were discussed at meetings that he attended in Bulgaria. [22612/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 19 to 21, inclusive, together.

I travelled to Sofia, Bulgaria, where I participated in an Informal EU Summit on the evening of 16 May, and the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 17 May.

The Informal Summit on 16 May was chaired by President Tusk and focused on innovation and the digital economy and possible future EU actions to promote investment in artificial intelligence and breakthrough innovation.

On transatlantic relations, there was strong support for insisting on a permanent exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium and a readiness to engage in subsequent talks with the US on improving reciprocal market access, liberalisation of government procurement and reform of the WTO.

The EU Western Balkans Summit on 17 May was attended by EU leaders and the leaders of the six regional partners - Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo. This was the first such Summit in 15 years. We reaffirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkans and agreed a set of measures for enhanced cooperation with the region.

Questions Nos. 15 to 18, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 19 to 21, inclusive, answered with Question No. 14.
Questions Nos. 22 to 24, inclusive, resubmitted.
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