ZAGREB, Jan 1 (Hina) - The Republic of Ireland on Thursday took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, after Italy chaired it in the last six months.
ZAGREB, Jan 1 (Hina) - The Republic of Ireland on Thursday took over
the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, after Italy
chaired it in the last six months.#L#
In the coming six months, ten new countries should formally join the
15-member Union. The completion of the admission of the ten new
members is set for 1 May 2004. This event will mark the end of the
division of Europe which was made after the Second World War.
Ireland says that its agenda for the EU presidency contains four
important goals: successful completion of admission of the ten
countries, economic development based on the Lisbon strategy with the
purpose to render the EU market as the most competitive one in the
world, the improvement of security and stability of the EU and the
engagement of the EU in missions aimed at promoting a fairer and more
secure world.
Croatia is expecting two important events to happen in the coming six
months.
At the end of March the European Commission should announce its
position on Croatia's abilities and potentials to become an EU
candidate. In June the European Council is expected to decide whether
Zagreb should be given the status of a candidate for EU membership,
and set the date for the start of the negotiations on the matter.
Croatia submitted its application for EU membership on 21 February
2003 while Greece was chairing the Union.
After Ireland, the Netherlands will preside over the EU from 1 July to
31 December 2004.
(Hina) ms