This was emphasized by H. E. John Rowan, Ambassador of Ireland to Bulgaria at a joint sitting of the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee and the Committee of European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds on 24th of January 2013. At the traditional meeting were also present Mr. Darius Gaidys - the charge d’affaires of Lithuania’s mission to Bulgaria and Greece’s Ambassador – H. E. Thrasyvoulos Stamatopoulos. According to the principle of rotation these countries will preside the EU Council until the summer of 2014.

H. E. John Rowan marked the main priorities of the Irish Presidency and explained the meaning of “stability, jobs and growth” slogan.

The Presidency will work for securing the financial stability of the Euro zone, deepening the Economic and Monetary Union, finalizing the negotiations with the European Parliament on the European Banking Authority. The main accent of the Presidency’s work will definitely be finalizing the MFF negotiations. This will give the opportunity to secure the necessary financing and creating the various tools, which will contribute to the growth in research and development sphere and create opportunities for significant investments in the EU’s natural resources.

The Irish Presidency attaches significant importance of the EU Single Market development, stimulating the research and development through Horizon 2020, aiming to create new and stable jobs while young people are again at the centre of attention. In this regard, H. E. Rowan announced Ireland’s willingness to contribute for the additional stimulation of the mobility in employment and education realms. Ambassador Rowan also focused on EU’s enlargement in the context of Croatia’s impending accession on 1st of July 2013.

Lithuania’s Embassy representative, charge d’affaires Darius Gaidys stressed on the energetics and especially the necessity of building a broad European energy infrastructure. Mr. Gaidys paid special attention to the engagement according to Target 7 of the United Nations Development Programme – securing stable environment.

Greece’s Ambassador, H. E. Thrasyvoulos Stamatopoulos pointed out as a potential priority of the 18-month Presidency, the Stockholm Programme, including the prevention of illegal migration. H. E. Stamatopoulos affirmed that EU should work for democratic accountability and enhancing of the citizens’ participation in the decision-making process.

The Greek diplomat outlined the future EU enlargement as a head priority of the EU Presidency until the middle of 2014, because most of the potential candidate countries are Balkan countries. H. E. Stamatopoulos highlighted the nessesity of developing “free, fair and open trade” and deepening the foreign trade relations of the EU. According to him, 30 million jobs or 10 % of EU’s workforce depend on the export. The recovery of EU’s economy can’t be achieved in isolation and EU must be an active global player.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ivan Najdenov, in turn, expressed Bulgaria’s full support to Ireland’s priorities. He was convinced that the new Troika will adopt the pragmatic approach, while accomplishing its targets.

According to the Deputy Minister Najdenov, there is a symbolism in the circumstance that one of the most progressive European economies (affected by the crisis, but is already overcoming the economic difficulties) takes over the Presidency at such important moment for the EU. Mr. Najdenov didn’t forget the question about the impending decision of Bulgaria and Romania’s Schengen accession – one of the Irish Presidency main goals.

In this regard was the statement of Mr. Dobroslav Dimitrov, Chairman of the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee who concluded: “Bulgaria must be in Schengen”. According to Mr. Dimitrov, it’s a principle question, taking into account our country’s technical readiness for Schengen.