Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 10, inclusive, together.

Last Friday, the Presidency circulated the draft agenda for the European Council in March. The draft agenda focuses on the need for implementation of the commitments on jobs and growth entered into at last spring's European Council. In particular, they highlight the need to maintain momentum across the board. In this context, they identify as priorities ensuring sound and sustainable public finances, completing the internal market and enhancing social cohesion and environmentally sustainable growth. They give special attention to investing more in knowledge and innovation, unlocking the business potential of SMEs and increasing employment opportunities.

They will now be considered at official level and by the Foreign Ministers of the member states before being submitted to the European Council. Our priority is that the European Council should continue to give impetus to the Lisbon Agenda with its new focus on jobs and growth. At present, I have no plans to have any bilateral meetings at the European Council.

I had a short meeting with the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Borys Tarasyuk, on 8 February. In our meeting, we discussed bilateral political and economic relations between our two countries, with a focus on political and economic reform. The Minister briefed me on the current situation regarding energy issues between Russia and the Ukraine.

I met Dr. Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister of Croatia, on 2 March during his official visit to Ireland. Our discussions focused on Croatia's EU accession process and ways of enhancing our bilateral relations. We agreed that greater potential exists to develop trade, tourism and economic links. I congratulated the Prime Minister on Croatia's progress to date in accession negotiations and assured him of Ireland's continued support throughout the process. The Prime Minister was interested to learn about Ireland's economic progress since joining the EU. I assured him that we would be happy to share the knowledge resulting from our economic experiences. The Prime Minister, Mr. Sanader, briefed me on current relations with Croatia's neighbours in the western Balkans.

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