Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I wish to close the debate by commenting on external relations issues. The Taoiseach touched upon a number of these issues but I wish to provide a more comprehensive overview.

The Taoiseach referred to the Council's agreement that negotiations on Croatia's accession to the European Union should be concluded by the end of the month. I am pleased to report that these negotiations are on track and that an accession conference to formally close the final negotiation chapters will take place tomorrow, 30 June. It should then be possible for the accession treaty to be signed before the end of the year. It is likely that accession will be set for 1 July 2013. The Commission will continue to monitor Croatia's progress up to accession. I take this opportunity to congratulate Croatia, the Presidency and the Commission on the considerable work that has gone into the accession negotiations. Croatia's success reaffirms the European perspective of the western Balkans in a broader sense.

On the European neighbourhood policy, the Council endorsed the new approach to relations with the countries of the EU's neighbourhood. This new approach offers greater co-operation and economic integration to those countries that are making real progress on reforms. The Council also underlined the importance of the Eastern Partnership summit, which will take place in Warsaw at the end of September. That summit will provide an opportunity to provide strategic direction to the EU's relationship with its eastern partners during the coming two years.

I wish to expand on the Taoiseach's remarks on the European Council's discussion of the situation in the southern neighbourhood. In respect of Libya, the Council's declaration reiterates the EU's firm support for UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. The European Union is united in its determination to increase the pressure on the Gadaffi regime to allow the beginning of a political transition. The Council also considered the situation in Syria and strongly condemned ongoing violence on the part of the Syrian regime against its own people. It welcomed the adoption of new sanctions and expressed full support for efforts by EU members of the UN Security Council to seek an adequate response by the latter to events in Syria.

Ireland succeeded in raising the current unsatisfactory human rights situation in Bahrain at the European Council. I hope this will go some way towards addressing the concerns expressed by Deputy Mac Lochlainn. At the Taoiseach's prompting, the European Council expressed its concern about the process surrounding the trials and sentencing of opposition members in Bahrain and encouraged Bahrain to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

On the Middle East peace process, EU leaders looked ahead to the issue of a possible UN resolution on Palestinian statehood in the autumn. Broad concern was expressed regarding the potential for this to complicate the efforts to achieve that state as a reality. However, there was also general recognition that the Palestinians have been pushed into contemplating this step by the lack of progress on negotiations and that their strong preference would be to engage in meaningful direct talks with Israel - aimed at establishing the state of Palestine - by agreement on the outstanding issues.

The EU and its member states have taken two parallel initiatives to try to support and renew the peace process. High Representative Ashton has called for a political level meeting of the international Quartet and this will take place on 11 July. It is hoped that the Quartet can try to set out the parameters for renewed talks, building on the recent speech of President Obama, to provide clarity and reassurance for the participants about where renewed talks should lead. France has proposed an economic support conference on Palestine - also to be held in July - which would have a strong political element also aimed at preparing the parties for a renewal of talks. The Taoiseach spoke in favour of both these ideas. The European Council also considered the situation in Gaza, in the context of the second flotilla which is now imminent and the continuing captivity of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, whose immediate release was demanded.

This European Council was and one at which Ireland played a full, effective and vocal part. We look forward to the next meeting of the European Council, which is due to take place in October.

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