The Irish Minister of European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, presented the programme of the Irish EU Presidency in an interview with the Representative of the Flemish Government to the European Union, Mr. Axel Buyse, at the Flemish Parliament on 29 January. The Irish Government’s top priority for the coming 6 months is to address the crisis by working towards further financial stabilisation and economic growth for jobs.
The Irish will focus on the further development of the European Union Bank, pay attention to the European Semester for the coordination of national and European budgetary and policy measures, strengthen the internal market and tackle youth unemployment. Creighton also explicitly refers to the importance of trade agreements in boosting European growth. In this respect, Dublin specifically seeks to start negotiations with the U.S. for a new comprehensive FTA.
2013 also marks the 40-year anniversary of Ireland’s accession to the European Economic Community - the forerunner of the European Union. Creighton said that her country owes a great deal to the membership. Although the Irish are currently experiencing a difficult economic situation, the relationship with Europe ensured that in recent decades, Ireland developed from one of the poorest countries in Europe to a dynamic and export-oriented economy. Creighton stressed that this European solidarity has also brought positive social and cultural changes, including a much stronger role for women in society.
After having implemented thorough austerity and reforms, Dublin is planning to leave the European emergency programme this year, and start reaching modest economic growth.