Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being made by the Government to promote further trade between the EU and the US; if he favours an eventual free trade area between the EU and the US in view of the continued expansion of trade in the Far East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18131/05]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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The EU-US summit at Dromoland in June 2004 adopted several declarations, including a declaration on strengthening our economic partnership. The Irish Presidency of the European Union played a key role in ensuring that there was a strong economic dimension to the summit and to the enhancement of ongoing EU-US relations. Following this summit declaration, both the EU and US sides commenced a stakeholder dialogue and invited interested parties to offer their views on how this should be done. Drawing on the results of the stakeholder dialogue in which replies were received from the business community, trade unions, consumer organisations and other interested groups, the European Commission for its part has identified areas that should be tackled to develop a forward-looking strategy to enhance the economic relationship between the US and the EU.

The Commission communication of 19 May 2005 — A stronger EU-US partnership and a more open market for the 21st century — addressed to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee, forms the basis of the initiatives proposed by the European Commission designed to boost EU-US trade and investment in specific areas. In its communication, the European Commission proposes a mix of binding and non-binding approaches, across sectors, with the aim of giving new impetus and quality to the EU-US economic relationship.

The economic agenda includes both multilateral and bilateral elements. Obviously, both sides are committed to concluding a successful Doha round and both are working to secure a successful outcome at the next WTO trade ministerial conference in Hong Kong at the end of this year. The EU for its part, in accordance with the EU's international trade policy which has been built for several decades on a preference for a multilateral approach, is fully supportive of and continues to maintain this strategic approach. On bilateral co-operation, the emphasis is on regulatory co-operation, co-operation on technology and innovation and market access issues.

Ireland supports working closely with the US on this forward-looking agenda with both its multilateral and bilateral components. We see it as an appropriate and balanced approach with the potential to enhance trade and investment between the EU and the US. Discussions among the European Commission and member states are ongoing to agree the elements of this agenda which will be put on the table for discussion and agreement at the next EU-US summit to be held next month.