The first new members of the European Union could enter as early as 2004, the Taoiseach said today. Speaking in Malta as part of his visit to Ireland's future EU partners, the Taoiseach was addressing the contentious process of enlargement of the EU.
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Mr Ahern begins offical visit to Malta and Cyprus |
"I strongly support the principle of differentiation, whereby each applicant - including Malta - is treated on its own merits," Mr Ahern said. "On that basis, there is no good reason why the first new members should not be able to take part in the European Parliament elections in 2004 and to enter the Union in that year."
Mr Ahern also said that he was "profoundly and unreservedly in favour of enlargement."
Following the Nice European Council meeting last month, at which reforms were designed to ensure the smooth working of the European Union after enlargement, it was decided that an inter-governmental conference would be held in 2004 to discuss the relationship between Brussels and the national governments.
The call for the conference came from Germany's Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schroder, amid fears that Germany's influence in Europe may be adversely affected as a result of increased inter-governmental co-operation.
Ireland, which will take leadership of the Union in 2004, initially opposed the conference, but has since conceded since Germany threatened to block ratification of the Nice treaty.
On a separate issue, the Taoiseach outlined Ireland's experience of EU membership to prospective partners in Malta today. "Ireland's recent economic success is undoubtedly linked to membership of the EU and the many benefits which have accrued to us as a result," he said.
He also said that membership "has given Ireland the means and opportunity to influence the evolution of the European Union and its policies beyond the economic sphere and our own national interest."
The Nice European Council reforms have ensured that up to six applicant states, including Cyprus and Poland, may be ready to join the EU by the end of 2002. Malta is part of a second group of applicants to be processed at a later date.
If they are adjudged by the European Commission to have completed their preparations successfully and have their membership ratified by existing member-states during 2003, they will be represented in the European Parliament to be elected in 3 1/2 years' time.
During his three day trip, Mr Ahern will also meet the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI, "to extend our bilateral political and economic relations with an increasingly important State", according to a Departmental statement.
This will mark the first official visit by a Taoiseach to the North African country.