Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Iraq is not on the agenda of this Council meeting. I will take the opportunity to condemn all the violence and the dreadful atrocities carried out against ordinary citizens in Iraq. The General Affairs and External Relations Council meets monthly to discuss these issues. It is up to the coalition forces to make their own decisions. I note today that the UK commander-in-chief has made some announcements regarding the UK forces, but it is a matter for those countries.

I did not discuss the economic policies of Croatia other than where Ireland assists it in the process of joining the EU, which is the central agenda item of the people of Croatia. They are anxious to make the necessary reforms, move away from the atrocities and wars of only ten years ago, modernise their country, build their economy — which they are doing successfully — and prepare themselves for the process of European integration which they hope to achieve by 2008 or 2009, although that has not been agreed at European Council level. They are working through their chapters, including the economic chapters, trying to reform and build the economy, make way for foreign direct investment and help their people to invest in the country to try to improve employment and develop infrastructure and tourism.

It is a source of satisfaction that Ireland can help in a number of ways. We are helping through a small number of technical and advisory people from our Civil and public service who are working with the Croatians at various levels through the process of integration as we have done with the ten eastern European countries that joined on 1 May 2004. While these people are small in number, they provide useful reform assistance for a country such as Croatia. A number of Irish investors have already been engaged in business or property acquisition and development, which is appreciated——

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