Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the stated aims as regards foreign policy and diplomacy of the Czech Presidency of the EU. [5205/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Czech Presidency identified a number of themes as priorities in the external relations area. These include the Eastern Partnership aimed at deepening the European Neighbourhood Policy in respect of six Eastern States, the continuation of dialogue between the European Union and Russia, further development of transatlantic cooperation and the development of relations with the non- EU Mediterranean countries.

In addition, the Presidency will work on areas of traditional concern to the Union such as non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human rights and development. The Presidency also attaches importance to a successful conclusion of the Doha Development Round of talks within the World Trade Organisation.

The Czech Presidency attaches considerable importance to the gradual integration of the Western Balkan States into the EU. To this end, it will encourage completion of the negotiations with Croatia, work to improve relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while continuing ongoing negotiations with Turkey.

The Government is broadly supportive of the priorities identified by the Czech Presidency, which reflect our shared concerns. We will work closely with the Presidency and our other partners to secure progress in these areas.

Of course, no Presidency can predict with certainty the course of international events. The early weeks of the Czech Presidency were dominated in the external relations field by the Gaza incursion and its humanitarian consequences and by the Russia-Ukraine gas transit dispute. Czech diplomacy played an important role in resolving the dispute between Russia and Ukraine and was also active in the Gaza conflict.