Ambassador Kevin Colgan pointed out that this is the first time that Ireland has presented its Presidency priorities to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. "Our decision to open an embassy here demonstrates our desire to strengthen ties between Serbia and Ireland, as well as Ireland's commitment to Serbia's progress on its path to EU accession," the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador also informed the Committee members that the main priorities of the Irish Presidency are competitiveness, values and stability. "During the Presidency, Ireland will seek to provide a solid foundation for the future work of the EU through negotiations, through the next annual financial framework. In the area of security, Ireland will actively contribute to the development of the security and defence of the European Union. We will work to preserve the rule of law and strengthen the resilience of European democracies. The core values of our agenda will be: the protection of human rights, freedoms, democracy and equality. We see the enlargement process as a key expression of our values. All candidate countries must be expected to protect, promote and defend these values - this is in the strategic interests of all of us", stressed the Ambassador.

He also underlined that the core of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union is fostering unity. He added that through the competitiveness agenda, work will be done to simplify regulations, strengthen the single market, remove barriers to internal trade, help European companies expand across the continent and improve their access to finance, which will enable them to grow. He also said that efforts will be made to provide a solid foundation for the future work of the Union through negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework. In the area of security, Ireland will actively contribute to the development of the security and defence of the European Union. "Our work will respond to the overall interests and needs of the Union and its citizens across Europe at a crucial time. We will work to preserve the rule of law and enhance democratic resilience across Europe," the ambassador stressed.

Committee Chairperson Elvira Kovacs expressed her satisfaction with the fact that Ireland has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, particularly emphasising that the Republic of Ireland has focused most of its efforts on security and defence during this period of geopolitical challenges. Kovacs added that she hopes Serbia's process of accession to the European Union would be unblocked soon and Cluster 3 opened. Also, in addition to thanking Ireland for its support in terms of enlargement, the Committee Chairperson added that the Multiannual Financial Framework will leave its mark on the Irish Presidency, expressing her hope that Ireland's experience in negotiations will contribute to achieving this.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairperson Elvira Kovacs, and attended by the following Committee members and deputy members: Dr Aleksandra Tomic, Stanislava Janosevic, Ana Miljanic, Goran Milic, Dubravka Filipovski, Branislav Josifovic, Sanja Dzajic, Dunja Simonovic Bratic, Robert Kozma, Zivota Starcevic and Milan Radin.