We can beat the many challenges facing us by working together, writesTaoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Ireland is assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the sixth time. During the next six months we will witness a profound transformation in the European Union, from 15 member states to 25 - its largest single expansion. Historically, it is highly significant as east and west are brought together once again, overcoming a legacy of division that existed for much of the last century.
We will celebrate this momentous achievement on May 1st next with a major event here in Dublin to welcome our old friends and new partners into the European Union.
The theme for our presidency is "Europeans - working together" and, more than ever, the European Union's member-states need to work together if we are to overcome the many challenges facing us.
During Ireland's presidency, we intend to focus on four main challenges in particular:
First, the objective that the European Union set itself some time ago in Lisbon of becoming the most competitive economy in the world, with more and better jobs, greater social cohesion and a high level of environmental protection. We will set identifiable benchmarks towards the achievement of this goal by 2010, as originally planned.
Second, we will seek to progress the work of the Intergovernmental Conference towards agreement on a new constitutional treaty so as to help the enlarged Union operate more efficiently and effectively on behalf of its 450 million citizens. Initially, this will involve a process of consultation with our partners, after which we will report back to the European Council meeting in March on our assessment of the prospects for agreement.
Third, we will seek to ensure greater security and safety for all the people of the European Union.
We have a wide-ranging agenda in the justice and home affairs area, including asylum, immigration, police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters and civil law.
A special emphasis will be placed on the fight against drugs and organised crime, and combating illegal immigration.
And fourth, on the international stage, we will promote a fairer, more peaceful and more secure world to tackle the complex problems of today. We will stress the importance of all the world's nations working together in the interest of effective international relations. We will place a particular emphasis on transatlantic relations.
And we intend to make further progress on the issues of conflict prevention and human rights.
Finally, the Irish presidency will strive to ensure that the European Union's agreed agenda in all other areas is carried forward for the next six months. We will seek to do so effectively and efficiently.
For my part, I am determined to work on behalf of the people of Ireland to make our presidency an outstanding success, and one that we can all be extremely proud of.