Ireland calls meeting of EU, Balkans, and Iceland

BRUSSELS Ireland on Jan. 1 assumed the rotating presidency over the EU and called a meeting of European affairs ministers of the EU, Balkan countries and Iceland. The meeting has been called with a view to preserving the momentum for admitting new members, despite the opposition of certain EU member states, Beta is reporting. Ireland calls meeting of EU, Balkans, and Iceland Speaking about its country's major objectives, Irish EU Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton said the Dublin government would give its strong backing to the admission of West Balkan countries. According to sources from the EU Council of Ministers and the European Commission, Ireland believes the enlargement process must not be halted after the expected admission of Croatia in July. Dublin further believes, the same sources said, that the policy of admitting other candidate countries, right upon fulfillment of criteria, had to be confirmed as it was an important political, economic, and particularly security issue for the EU. This should be the conclusion of the meeting of the ministers of the EU, West Balkans, Turkey and Iceland in Dublin on Jan. 21. It means that following Croatia's admission, the accession process of other countries should continue at the same pace. (Beta, file) Beta

Ireland calls meeting of EU, Balkans, and Iceland

Speaking about its country's major objectives, Irish EU Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton said the Dublin government would give its strong backing to the admission of West Balkan countries.

According to sources from the EU Council of Ministers and the European Commission, Ireland believes the enlargement process must not be halted after the expected admission of Croatia in July.

Dublin further believes, the same sources said, that the policy of admitting other candidate countries, right upon fulfillment of criteria, had to be confirmed as it was an important political, economic, and particularly security issue for the EU.

This should be the conclusion of the meeting of the ministers of the EU, West Balkans, Turkey and Iceland in Dublin on Jan. 21.

It means that following Croatia's admission, the accession process of other countries should continue at the same pace.