Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the purpose of the declaration, the German Presidency indicated from long before its Presidency that it would work to try to communicate a vision for the future, acknowledging what has happened and the success of moving Europe from the war-torn Europe of the past. The Deputy will appreciate that is a matter close to the heart of Chancellor Merkel. It should also indicate where Europe should go in the future and particularly set a vision and strategy for which the next generation in Europe should strive.

Several meetings have taken place. A contact group has been meeting since late in autumn, involving two officials from each of the offices of all the prime ministers in Europe, drafting this document. The Chancellor's view from the start, which I support, is that it should not be a lengthy Europe-speak document that would not attract the interests of European citizens in the enlarged Europe. It should be a straightforward simple one setting out the advantages of Europe today and into the future. I have not seen the draft but obviously it was discussed at the European Council. It was discussed at the dinner and some contentious issues were raised but not many. Those contentious issues came mainly from the eastern European countries but not from the original 15 countries. Most of the contentious issues relate to the EU neighbourhood policy relationships with Russia, Ukraine and others into the future. I will attend the European Council meeting at which 27 Heads of State will be present. We hope to get the final draft of the declaration from the Chancellor tomorrow.

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