Ireland and France have always been good neighbours and good friends. Our two countries have shared strong political, historical and cultural links down through the ages. In the last century our relations with France tended to remain primarily cultural and sentimental until a seminal and defining development in our relationship i.e., our membership of the European Union since 1973. Over the past 27 years the nature and scope of our relationship has been truly transformed. We now have a solid modern economic and political relationship with France.
It is on the economic front that we have seen the greatest change. France is now our fourth largest trading partner, and second only to Germany in Continental Europe. In 1972 Irish exports to France amounted in value to under £26 million. By last year our level of exports had grown to over £4,400 million.
France is also a significant foreign investor in Ireland, with some 100 French-owned, controlled or affiliated companies. The investment traffic is not all one way, however. Reflecting our development as a mature economy, Irish investment in France has increased enormously. There are now about 50 Irish firms with investments in France. Agriculture is important to both of us and at EU level we tend to share a common position on the major issues in this area.
In deepening our economic and political ties we have not neglected our age-old cultural links. A six-month festival of Irish culture in France in 1996 entitled L'Imaginaire Irlandais introduced to France a new range of contemporary Irish artists and performers. Since then we have sought to build on the heightened awareness of, and appetite for, Irish artists and performers. The recent announcement by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Martin Cullen, of Government funding of £7 million for the restoration of the historic Irish College in Paris to transform it into an Irish cultural and educational centre will serve to further develop our bilateral cultural ties.
The Irish Embassy in Paris, like all our missions abroad, is devoted to pursuing our national interest. In the modern context and in the global economy, an ambassador's time is mainly devoted to pursuing economic policy objectives, including trade, in close co-operation with our semi-state agencies. Additionally, embassies are the primary interface with host governments on the full range of economic and political issues. As Ireland's ambassador in France it is my job both to present Ireland's policies to the French government, and in turn to advise Dublin on how France views such issues.
Clearly, the next six months of French Presidency of the European Union will represent a particularly high point of activity for us. Ireland has high expectations of this Presidency. There is much important work to be done. Our common interests were the subject of a recent meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine. A number of major issues will figure prominently in the calendar for the Presidency: the Intergovernmental Conference, which will affect the shape of our Union, is to complete its work by the end of this year.
This Presidency also coincides with the beginning of a more substantive phase in the enlargement process. The draft of a European Charter of Fundamental Rights is to be presented to the European Council during this period. These are central issues for present - and future - members of the EU.
Then there are the less prominent, but vital tasks in steering the day-to-day work of the Council through six busy months. Our expectations also reflect our estimation of the capacities and energies which France will apply to its Presidency.
France was one of the founding members of the EU and has always been at its very core. Since our accession in 1973, Ireland has also won a place at the very centre of EU decision-making. We are full and enthusiastic participants in the European project. Sharing this perspective with France, we look forward confidently and optimistically to the French stewardship of the Union in the coming six months.
