News Release
John Bruton (Second from Right), Accompanied by Delegation Spokesman Anthony Gooch
(Third from Right), Meets with the Press.
No. 171/04
December 9, 2004
NEW EU AMBASSADOR JOHN BRUTON MEETS PRESIDENT BUSH,
IS UPBEAT ON FUTURE OF EU-US RELATIONS
Former
Irish Prime Minister John Bruton formally became the EU Commission’s new Ambassador
to the United States today when he presented his credentials to President George
Bush in a ceremony at the White House.
In a letter to President
Bush, Ambassador Bruton said he regarded his new position as an opportunity to
further strengthen EU-US ties
which constitute "the most important economic relationship in world history"
and "the indispensable partnership" in tackling the scourge
of terrorism,
fighting poverty and working for peace and stability around the world.
Ambassador Bruton said he approached his new role with optimism: "I look
forward to playing my part in helping build a stronger partnership between Europe
and America. My appointment indeed reflects the declared wish of the European
Commission and the 25 EU Member
States of the European Union to strengthen EU-US relations and deepen mutual
understanding in this indispensable partnership."
Pointing to important changes in Europe – the new EU
Commission led by
President José Manuel Durão Barroso, the recent historic
enlargement of the EU from 15 to 25 member nations with more accessions to
come and the new European
Constitution – Ambassador Bruton said, "The transatlantic partnership
will be healthier for recognizing that there can be serious issues on which we
disagree, both across the Atlantic and within Europe."
With fresh starts being made on both sides of the Atlantic, he intends to work
to help the EU and US communicate better on "the vital work we must do together.
I believe this work calls for more telephone, less megaphone."
As Ambassador, Mr. Bruton is also Head of the EU Commission’s Washington
Delegation. The Delegation, present in the US capital for 50 years, was granted
diplomatic status in 1971 and the Head of the Delegation has enjoyed full ambassadorial
status since 1990.
The scope of the transatlantic relationship has grown enormously in recent years,
and the Delegation’s activities cover all major areas including trade, political,
economic & financial, development, agriculture, consumer policy, transport,
energy, environment, science & technology, press and media and communications
and public affairs.
Biographical
Note
John Bruton is a former Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach). During his term (1994-1997),
he helped transform the Irish economy into the "Celtic Tiger," one of
the fastest growing economies in the world. He was also deeply involved in the
Northern Irish Peace Process leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
While Prime Minister, Ambassador Bruton presided over a successful Irish EU
Presidency in 1996 and helped finalize the Stability and Growth Pact which
governs the management of the Euro.
He represented the EU at Summit
meetings with the President of the United States, the Prime Ministers of Canada,
Japan, China and Korea.
Before being appointed Ambassador to the United States, John Bruton served as
a leading member of the caucus that drafted the first-ever European Constitution
that was signed in Rome on October 29 and is now before the 25 EU Member States
for ratification.
He was first elected to the Irish Parliament ("Dáil Éireann") in 1969
at the age of 22 as a member of the Fine Gael Party, becoming Party Leader in
1990 and leading it to victory in 1994. He previously served as Ireland’s Minister
for Finance (1981-1982 & 1986-1987); Minister for Industry & Energy (1982-1983);
Minister for Trade, Commerce & Tourism (1983-1986). He resigned his seat on
November 1, 2004 to take up appointment as EU Head of Delegation in the United
States.
John Bruton graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Arts
degree before studying to become a barrister. He is married to Finola Bruton and
has 4 children.
Useful weblinks:
http://www.eurunion.org/News/press/2004/200400128.htm
(September 8, 2004 Press Release on Decision to Appoint John Bruton Ambassador
to United States)
http://www.eurunion.org/delegati/DCDelHistory.htm
(50 Years of the European Commission in Washington, DC)
http://europa.eu.int/constitution/index_en.htm
(The new European Constitution)
Further Contact Information
Sue Tucker
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
susan.tucker@cec.eu.int
