LONDON
The six months long program of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has been published.
Carrying the title "For Stability, Jobs and Growth" the program was summed up as, "This programme sets out the real and tangible decisions we will push for as Ireland chairs negotiations across nine different Council formations from January until June. Working together with our fellow Member States, the EU institutions and other stakeholders, the Irish Presidency will be that of a recovery country driving recovery in Europe."
The program adds that it's primal focus area would be the recovery and the growth of Europe which has been struggling with the economic recession.
The program touched Turkey under the title of "Enlargement".
Under the same title, the program also mentioned that Ireland welcomed ten new Member States in to the EU during it's last Presidency in 2004 and said, "In 2013 the Irish Presidency will continue to prioritise a credible enlargement policy based on the principle of conditionality. While the Presidency will work intensively to advance enlargement and support states as they prepare for membership, much will depend on the progress made by the states themselves."
Highlighting the membership processes of candidate countries, the programme said, "Firstly, the Presidency will oversee consideration of the final monitoring report on Croatia and looks forward to Croatia's accession to the EU on 1 July 2013. The Presidency will also work further to advance the ongoing accession negotiations with Iceland."
Coming up to Turkey, Ireland stated that the programme was set to seek to restore momentum in the accession process with Turkey.
Moreover, the Presidency expressed that they will work to move forward the recently launched negotiations with Montenegro.
Lastly, the Irish Presidency planned to discuss and possibly agree on the next steps to be taken in fulfilling the European aspirations of Serbia, Macedonia, and Albania.
Being a member of the EU since 1973, the Irish Presidency in 2013 will be their seventh term.
Turkey aims to boost its EU full membership process during Ireland's term presidency.
