Kosovo decision due, says Ahern

The Government is due to decide on recognition of Kosovo in a matter of days and "Ireland will play our part fully in ensuring the future stability" of the country, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Slovenian prime minister Janez Jansa in Ljubljana, Mr Ahern said the prime minister had given him "a very detailed account and a read-out" on the situation in Kosovo.

The Taoiseach also congratulated Mr Jansa on the speed with which Slovenia had ratified the Lisbon Treaty. He said the men had discussed the European Commission's climate change and energy package, which was "a key element" of the EU's work in the coming months.

The two men had agreed that "Europe must continue to lead the world's effort in this area".

Mr Jansa said Ireland could be copied by other countries in its use of EU resources for development purposes, success in attracting foreign direct investment and record of commercial and industrial innovation.

Mr Ahern also met with Slovenian president Danilo Türk. He will travel on to Vienna this morning.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times