The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs says Irish priorities for the European Council Presidency can be summed up in 3 words: stability, jobs and growth.
Eamon Gilmore has been outlining the aims for the 6-month Irish presidency which we assume for the 7th time in January.
The Tanaiste says Ireland hopes to build on the agreement made last week on separating banking debt from sovereign debt as well as tacking youth unemployment and trade agreements with the US.
Eamon Gilmore says 2013 will be an important year for Ireland and Europe.
Watch the press conference here
Website launched
Meanwhile the countdown to our Presidency has begun with the launch of the official website.
Minister for Europe Lucinda Creighton has flicked the switch in Brussels.
Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council on January 1st next year and eu2013.ie is being billed as a key resource for all those wanting to keep up-to-date.
It also contains a full calendar of meetings taking place in Brussels and Dublin while major events will be live-streamed on the website.
Watch a video explaining the role of the Presidency below:
