The assembled media were told that the year 2013 should usher in a new phase in the European Union’s drive for recovery. The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU will be about securing stability and ensuring that it leads to jobs and growth.

Drawing from its own experience in responding to the recent economic crisis, the Presidency will be that of a recovery country driving recovery in Europe.

The Tanaiste outlined the Presidency's policy priorities in terms of their contribution to stability, jobs and growth. He spoke of "people-centred recovery, designed to last" through stabilising Europe's banking system (Banking Union) and through improved economic co-ordination. The Irish Presidency would also place a spotlight on youth unemployment, which is at unacceptable levels of over 25% in 13 EU Member States.

Areas with the highest potential to create jobs would be the subject of a comprehensive legislative programme, notably (a) Europe's digital sector and (b) small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who employ 87 million people in the EU already.Trade would also be a Presidency priority given that 30 million EU jobs depend on exports. The Presidency would intensify trade policy talks with strategic partners such as the United States and Japan with agreements expected to be concluded with Canada and Singapore.

The Tanaiste said:

"Trade agreements are top of our agenda. There is potential there for up to 2% growth in GDP across the EU. With the benefit of Ireland’s close links with the US, we will work to progress the idea of a comprehensive EU-US Free Trade Agreement – among others. I discussed this recently with Secretary of State Clinton and I know it is a priority for them as well". 

Minister Creighton, noting that 2013 marked both Ireland's 40th year as a member state and the European Year of Citizens, spoke of an incoming Presidency which had invested heavily in relationships with the European Commission, the European Parliament and other stakeholders. "We will do business efficiently and as an honest broker", she said, setting out a range of policy priorities including the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The Minister, also highlighted the growth and jobs potential of the digital sector:

"There is so much potential here left to be tapped and if we build confidence in this sector the benefits could be enormous.

To give a couple of figures, 35% of all internet users avoid shopping online because of safety concerns. Progress on this front alone would make a big difference, especially for SMEs which we believe will drive Europe's recovery".

Read the Tanaiste Statement and the MoS Statement.

Source: Irish EU Presidency

Programme and Priorities

The full programme of the Irish Presidency will be launched in early January 2013.

“2013 ushers in a new phase in the European Union’s drive for recovery. The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU is about securing stability and ensuring that it leads to jobs and growth.

As Presidency, Ireland is committed to delivering real and positive decisions to support Europe’s economic recovery and social cohesion.  Ireland looks forward to working together with other Member States, the EU institutions and stakeholders across the nine different Council formations that it will chair from January until June 2013 to deliver results for Europe’s citizens. 

Ireland looks forward to seizing the opportunities presented by its Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first six months of 2013 to deliver stability, jobs and growth in Europe. 

Ireland’s seventh Presidency coincides with the fortieth anniversary of Ireland’s accession to the European Union.  As in the past, Ireland will strive to run a fair and open Presidency focused on delivering results for Europe. 

In developing its Presidency programme Ireland has listened carefully to the views of partners, the EU institutions, and most importantly, to citizens.  The Irish programme reflects the desire across the EU to learn from the economic crisis and to focus on strengthening competitiveness, fighting unemployment and its causes, and driving forward proposals that will deliver sustainable economic growth and employment.  The crisis has clearly highlighted how closely linked the EU economies are.  Common problems are best addressed by common solutions.  The EU has been at its most successful when Member States work together to deliver positive change.

The EU has just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its success in establishing and maintaining peace, democracy and respect for human rights across Europe. Its principal project for 2013 and beyond is to restore prosperity in a fair and lasting way that is sustainable over the longer term. 

People-centred recovery, designed to last

The most urgent priority for the EU is to stimulate growth leading to employment creation.  But growth can only develop on the basis of economic stability.  This is why the Irish Presidency will work to effectively implement the Union’s new economic governance measures and in particular the European Semester process so that Member States, and the Union as a whole, can work together to drive reform and create the conditions for growth.  The Presidency will also seek to restore confidence in the financial sector by making progress on the Banking Union proposals and financial services reform.  

As Presidency, Ireland will also address the critical levels of youth joblessness across the EU by making progress on the Youth Employment and Youth Guarantee proposals.   During the European Year of Citizens in 2013, the Presidency also plans to make progress on a range of initiatives aimed to promote free movement across the EU and to protect workers’ rights.  

Investment in job-friendly growth and in Europe’s resources

The Single Market has been a great European success story over the past two decades.  This is why Ireland will prioritise measures remaining under the Single Market Act I and will work to advance Single Market II proposals when published by the Commission.  But the Single Market also needs to reflect changing market conditions and the way our citizens now live their lives. The Irish Presidency will put a strong emphasis on strengthening Europe’s Digital Economy by advancing measures in areas including cyber security, e-signatures/e-Identification, data protection, high-speed broadband rollout and web accessibility.  The Connecting Europe Facility can deliver the integrated telecommunications, transport and energy infrastructure we need for future growth and this too will be a priority. 

The Irish Presidency will also pursue a number of measures aimed at the Small and Medium Enterprises, the backbone of the European economy. These will include improved access to credit, public procurement opportunities and research funding.

The Presidency will also play its part in securing agreement on the EU’s future financing for the 2014 to 2020 period and to working with other Member States and the European Parliament on the key programmes that can underpin strong economic growth and social cohesion in Europe, including CAP, the Horizon 2020 research and innovation framework programme, and cohesion funding. A particular focus will be placed on the potential of Europe’s natural resources on land as well as at sea (“Blue Growth”), and on putting the Green Economy agenda back on track as an engine for smart, sustainable growth.  

Europe and the world: a win-win engagement with our partners

Europe’s recovery cannot happen in isolation and Europe must be an effective partner on the world stage. Ireland will pursue the enlargement agenda as Presidency and support the work of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in strengthening relations with our neighbours. We will place particular focus on development, humanitarian policy and especially on the continuing global hunger crisis and climate change.  As Presidency we will work for stronger EU-UN relations, especially in the area of crisis management and peace support operations.

Ireland will also work to strengthen trade relations and open new markets with third countries, creating opportunities for enterprise, leading to more jobs and growth. 

Ireland in Europe

As well as the business we will conduct in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg, the Presidency looks forward to welcoming visitors to hundreds of Presidency-related events in Ireland from January to June 2013. Ireland will also present a diverse programme of Irish culture in many European cities and here in Ireland celebrate our shared European heritage.  The Presidency looks forward to opening the European Year of Citizens in Dublin on 10 January 2013.

Source: Irish EU Presidency; Programme & Priorities