Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their statements and questions. I will now address further issues that were on the agenda of December's European Council meeting. At the meeting, leaders agreed to grant EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a real opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward and I support their path and the efforts they now need to undertake to deliver their programme of reforms. A new government was formed in Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. I wish President Borjana Krišto, as chairperson of the Council of Ministers, and all of her colleagues in the government every success. Ireland stands ready to support the government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparing for membership of the European Union. We will also continue to support a peaceful and secure future for all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the participation of members of the Irish Defence Forces in EUFOR Operation Althea, and we were proud to have played a role in the successful renewal of the Althea mandate last November during our term on the United Nations Security Council. The opportunities afforded to Ireland as a member of the EU should be afforded to all countries that are prepared to meet the requirements of accession. Ireland will support those who wish to join on that basis.

I also welcome that the EU officially launched accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in July. This sent an important signal to the region that the EU remains serious about enlargement. In December, EU Leaders welcomed Croatia's entry into the Schengen area as of 1 January 2023, and discussed Bulgaria's and Romania's future accession to Schengen. Another important milestone was reached by Croatia on 1 January, when it became the 20th EU country to introduce the single currency. Croatia has worked hard to achieve the economic convergence required for introducing the euro, including far-reaching economic and governance reform and sound public spending policies. Croatian citizens have now joined a community of 347 million Europeans who are using the euro in their everyday lives. By becoming its 20th member, just a decade after becoming a member of the EU and barely three decades after becoming an independent country, Croatia's accession is a timely reminder of the potential and opportunities that EU membership can unlock, and at pace.

I will take this timely opportunity to discuss the Swedish EU Presidency, which began on 1 January 2023.

At a time of historic challenges for the European Union and its member states, the Swedish Presidency programme sets out the priorities and main direction for the work of the Council in the first half of this year. These are grouped under four main headings, the first of which is security. The swift and decisive EU response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine is a manifestation of our political strength when we act collectively. The Swedish Presidency will prioritise continued support for Ukraine and its path towards EU membership. It will focus also on tackling cross-border organised crime.

The second is competitiveness. While urgent political attention is necessarily devoted to the war in Ukraine and its immediate economic impacts, strengthening Europe's economy to meet our long-term challenges must also remain an important focus. Europe's strength and global standing depend on our economic resilience, building on the dynamism of the Single Market and its influence on open global trading standards, while providing the best possible conditions for investment, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Third is the green and energy transitions. The Swedish Presidency will continue efforts to tackle high and volatile energy prices while addressing long-term energy market reform. Europe must lead by example in shaping a global response to the global climate challenge, putting its Fit for 55 agenda into action and speeding up the energy transition. Joint European steps towards independence from fossil fuels are necessary not only for the green transition, but also for our collective security.

The fourth priority is democratic values and the rule of law. Upholding the principle of the rule of law and fundamental rights is an essential element of every Presidency of the Council. The EU is based on democratic values, individual freedoms and non-discrimination. I wish Sweden every success for its Presidency term. This is a critical time in the history of our union and the ambitious programme presented by the Swedish Presidency, with the collective response to the ongoing war in Ukraine at the heart of it, provides the right basis to meet these challenges head on.

I look forward to travelling to the General Affairs Council in Brussels next Monday, 6 February. The agenda will include an exchange of views on the priorities of the Swedish Presidency, an update on the state of play in EU-UK relations, and preparation of the special meeting of the European Council on 9 and 10 February 2023. I expect the agenda for the special meeting to include economic issues and migration. Leaders will also get to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

The discussion on economic issues follows agreement in December on the need for a co-ordinated response to enhance Europe's economic strength and its global competitiveness, while preserving the integrity of the Single Market. It comes in the wake of the adoption by the US of its Inflation Reduction Act.

Discussion of migration is expected to focus, in particular, on the external dimension of the issue. Co-operation and mutually beneficial partnerships with third countries of origin and transit are important in reducing irregular migration and the numbers undertaking dangerous journeys.

I conclude by again thanking Deputies for their participation in the debate. I look forward to future debates on this important topic including as we continue to mark 50 years of Ireland's membership of the European Union.

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