Barroso: EU to develop economic ties with developing countries

BRUSSELS, Jan 16 (KUNA) - The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, Wednesday called on Europe to be an active global player to benefit from worldwide economic potential.
Speaking during a debate in the European Parliament on the programme and priorities of the current Irish EU Presidency, he noted that "despite the current difficulties, Europe's average debt-to GDP ratio is 82.5 percent, compared to the United States' rate of 103 percent and Japan's nearly 230 percent." "I am confident that during the Irish Presidency we will look beyond our European borders. The world economy is changing beyond recognition, with new centres of growth appearing and the pace of globalisation increasing," said head of the EU's executive body.
He stressed that the EU continued to deepen economic ties with both its strategic partners and the dynamic emerging economies.
Tne EU looks forward to the approval of the free trade agreement, FTA, with Singapore and to completing FTA negotiations with Canada and to start negotiations with Japan, he said. "We will pursue with vigour our negotiations with India, Malaysia and Vietnam," Barroso stressed.
"Ireland has been an active and valued member of the European Union for 40 years, it has greatly benefited from its membership in the past, and through its Presidency of the EU will have an important role in shaping the new European Union for the future," he added.
On his part, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny told the European Parliament that the three main lines of the Irish Presidency will be: Securing economic and financial stability; Investing in sustainable jobs and growth; and Europe and the world.
"We will use the Presidency to strengthen the Union's approach to fighting global poverty and hunger," he said.
"We will work closely in support of the efforts of the High Representative Ashton to strengthen the role of the European Union in bringing peace to troubled regions such as Syria, Iran, Mali and Somalia," said Kenny. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 161453 Jan 13NNNN