I’m delighted to be here to discuss the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
I would like to thank Ambassador Karelsohn for her remarks and as this is the first time that Estonia is hosting the EU Presidency, I too would like to take this opportunity to wish Estonia all the very best for a successful Presidency over the next 6 months.
I would also like to thank European Movement Ireland, Noelle and all the team for organising this event. For over 60 years, European Movement Ireland has been actively engaged in leading discussions on European issues and Ireland’s relationship with the EU, promoting greater understanding of the EU throughout Ireland. The importance of non-governmental organisations engagement in European Union affairs cannot be overstated and European Movement Ireland is recognised as one of the foremost contributors to Ireland’s national conversation about the EU and EU related issues.
Ireland supports the priorities identified by the Estonian Presidency. The priorities identified are realistic and achievable while they address many of the key challenges facing the European Union. There is a continuity of approach with previous Presidencies including, of course, the Maltese Presidency and I would like here to pay tribute to the work of the Maltese Presidency for also advancing the EU agenda.
Estonia will guide the important work of the European Union over the next six months. This work will carry on in parallel with the continuing progress of the Brexit negotiations. However, there is a great deal to be done other than Brexit. Many important issues are on the table.
They include the deepening of the Single Market, trade negotiations, advancing the digital single market - which I know is of particular importance to Estonia and whose aims and objectives in this area we share - more effective action against terrorism, meeting the multifaceted challenge of migration, future co-operation within the Treaty on security and defence. There is the continuing need, still acute in many countries, to achieve sustainable economic growth, financial stability and jobs. These are areas that are of the most importance to me as Minister for European Affairs.
I would like to attach particular importance to the delivery on the Single Market and more specifically that of the Digital Single Market. The ability of the EU to deliver jobs and growth for our citizens in the 21st century really does depend on the EU catching-up on Digital Economy matters. I am pleased that the Estonian Presidency is prioritising Digital Europe, including hosting a Digital Summit in Tallinn in September. The EU now has a relatively ambitious programme of work to complete the Digital Single Market, the key is delivery and I can assure the Estonian Presidency of our full support.
One of the strengths of the rotating Presidency is the way in which each Presidency can bring its own particular focus and, in this regard, I welcome the special focus that the Estonian Presidency is giving to a sustainable Europe. This Presidency’s focus on sustainability will ensure that Europe will continue to grow and prosper and the benefits arising from this growth will be enjoyed by many generations to come.
One of the major challenges facing this and future generations is climate change. The EU has reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement and to achieving ambitious reductions in CO2 levels. The Estonian Presidency will be responsible for driving progress on key files setting out how the EU will deliver on its emission reductions targets for 2030. Ireland will be active in those discussions to ensure an ambitious but achievable outcome.
Making progress on all the issues set out by the Estonian Presidency is important in itself. But it is also extremely important that citizens see that the Union makes a tangible difference.
It is incumbent upon us – the European Union - to deliver tangible results and improvements for all our citizens. And, we have to communicate how we do this, what we do at EU level, and why it is necessary to engage at the EU level, better and more consistently. This is a job and a responsibility that our EU institutions and all Member States share, and one that we quite honestly need to improve at.
With the world at an uncertain cross-roads, the EU is more necessary and more important as a bulwark for peace, stability and rule of law. This reality needs to be better communicated to all Europeans in order to ensure that its importance is fully appreciated.
However, it is heartening that opinion polls in many Member States have reflected increases in support for EU membership following the result of the UK referendum, and that this translated into support for pro-EU Governments in elections that have taken place since. In Ireland, some of the highest levels of support for EU membership were recorded in the aftermath of the UK vote. There is an understanding here, and I believe across Europe, that together, the EU can continue to prosper for the benefit of all and that together we will be able to overcome the difficulties that lie ahead.
Ireland is a committed member of the European Union. Our economic, social and political interests are best served by our continued membership of the Union. Our future economic prosperity depends on our membership of the single market.
We are all aware of the importance of the British market to Ireland and the significant potential negative impact that Brexit could have on our economy. We have also of course, an unprecedentedly positive relationship with the UK. That will continue. Our objective is to work to achieve a close, ongoing relationship between the EU and the UK, which places the minimum possible barriers to continuing trade. However, we also recognise the importance of the continued diversification of our export markets, especially for our indigenous companies. This has been a long-term strategy, but work on delivering it will be intensified. This is a priority for our State Agencies, our Embassies, and the whole of government.
The arguments in favour of Ireland remaining firmly within the European Union do not merely concern the economy. I do not believe that the Irish people would wish to withdraw from the greatest peace project in European history. To do so would severely damage our capacity to work with like-minded countries to promote our values and protect our interests. Being a member of the European Union gives us an influence and a perspective we could never otherwise have. And, of course, we deeply appreciate the contribution the EU made to secure the peace we enjoy on our island today after the many years of conflict in Northern Ireland.
While there are important Irish issues and interests directly at stake as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the Irish Government has ensured that it is as prepared as it can be concerning every issue and sector so that the best possible outcome can be achieved for Ireland as well as for the EU in the current negotiations.
The Taoiseach, Minister Coveney, myself, our colleagues in Government, our Embassy network across the EU, have all been and will continue to be, deeply engaged with all of our EU colleagues to ensure that they understand Ireland’s particular needs and interests and the importance of what is at stake for us.
Ireland is steadfastly committed to EU membership. We see our future at the heart of the EU. The UK will remain our closest neighbour, and the European Union will remain our political and economic home.
I say this not to diminish the importance of Brexit – I think that we all understand the gravity of what faces us – but Ireland is determined that Brexit cannot, and should not, derail or dominate the important, necessary day-to-day business of the EU itself, the work that is so necessary to the peace of our continent and the prosperity of our citizens. I am certain that this determination is shared by Estonia and I see this in the priorities that it has set down for its Presidency and the words of Ambassador Karelsohn today. It is a determination that I also know is shared by the other Member States.
I would like to conclude with some remarks on the Future of Europe.
The “euro-crisis”, the migration crisis, terror attacks in the EU itself, and Brexit, any one of these on their own would have been sufficient to test the European Union. But coming in quick succession these issues have led to what might be described as a “crisis of confidence”.
It appears that the “crisis of confidence” that has often been discussed exists in three different forms. The first can be identified as existing amongst our citizens, many of whom question the value and effectiveness of the Union and question whether or not the European Union makes their lives better, safer, more prosperous.
The second has manifested itself amongst European politicians and leaders; the scale of the crises and problems we are addressing have often led to statements or criticisms that question the very future existence of the Union.
The third is a crisis of confidence around the world – many voices and commentators in the United States and elsewhere, see a Union that is weakened, internally focussed and we are all aware of voices that seek to exploit and encourage that sense of weakness and uncertainty.
As a result, strong and continued delivery on current priorities is all the more important. We need to show that the EU is getting back on track and we need to show it through delivering concrete results for the people of Europe. Tangible advancements that are to the benefit of the citizens of all Member States must be progressed and brought to fruition.
We must show and communicate the unity of purpose that exists within the Union. We must demonstrate our commitment and resolve that the EU is and will remain essential to the future peace and prosperity of our citizens. The EU is and will continue to be an indispensable source of stability and core democratic values in the world. This will not, however, continue to be the case unless all those who care about the future of Europe step up to the mark and ensure that they do all that there is within their power to safeguard our common future within the EU.
A message of unity is very important, not least to show that Brexit does not and will not be allowed to define the EU in the period ahead. Ireland is in no doubt about the importance of the negotiations on the UK exit, but we cannot let it limit and overwhelm the European Union and our ability to chart our course for the future.
Our Estonian neighbours have taken up the mantle of charting that course over the next six months and it is clear from what we have heard here this morning that we are in safe hands.