New Irish embassies evidence of Ireland’s "commitment" to EU enlargement

Ireland is to open resident embassies in four of the applicant states for entry into the European Union.

The announcement was made tonight by Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, during a visit to one of the candidate countries, the Czech Republic.

He said resident missions would also be opened in all of the remaining states seeking EU membership over the next two years.

Mr Cowen said the decision should be seen as evidence of the Irish government’s ‘‘continuing commitment’’ to the enlargement of the EU.

He added: ‘‘It signals Ireland’s determination to work for the strengthening and developing of close and cordial relations with the candidate countries.

The minister underscored the importance Dublin attached to strengthening bilateral ties with the candidate countries, many of whom looked to Ireland as a model for what they hope to achieve through making effective use of EU membership.

In the June 7 nationwide poll, 54% of the Irish electorate came down against the Nice treaty.

The move effectively delayed the recruitment of any states into the EU for at least a year.

But opponents have stressed that they were against the plan because of concerns over Ireland’s policy of military neutrality and other issues and continued to support enlargement.

The countries where Ireland plans to open embassies are Cyprus, Estonia, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.