Ireland is risking isolation as the only EU member-state not to be represented at Expo 2000, the world fair planned for Hanover, Germany, in 2000. Ms Birgit Breuel, Expo's commissioner general, arrives in Dublin tomorrow for a two-day visit to find out why Ireland has not accepted Chancellor Helmut Kohl's invitation to take part.
"I want to make it clear that it is important for us that Ireland should be there and that it is important for Ireland too because, if they remain outside, it is not a very good message for Ireland," Ms Breuel said.
A record 150 countries will take part in Expo 2000, which is expected to attract over 40 million visitors to Hanover. Ireland and Sweden are the only two EU states which have yet to declare formally that they will be there but Sweden has informally indicated that it will take part.
A spokesman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment told The Irish Times the Department was "looking favourably" at Ireland's participation at Hanover. Ireland would not be present at next year's world fair in Lisbon but the importance of the German market to Irish exporters made participation in Expo 2000 more likely.
A formal Government decision is likely before the end of the year. A committee with representatives from the IDA, the Irish Trade Board and Forbairt has been set up to examine participation.
The cost of taking part in Expo 2000 would depend on the scale of Ireland's representation but it would run to several million pounds. Some Irish businesses have expressed an interest but claim a Government subsidy would be necessary to make it financially viable.
During her visit to Dublin, Ms Breuel will meet the Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, and address a lunch hosted by the Irish-German Chamber of Commerce.
Ms Breuel stresses the key role Europe will play in Expo 2000, with a specially-designed "EU boulevard" that has received the backing of European Commission President, Mr Jacques Santer. She argues that failure to participate could damage Ireland's relations with its partners.
"Ireland is an important partner in Europe. The European market is the beginning and the end for Ireland. Ireland has become known lately as the Green Tiger and in that sense it is economically very interesting to everyone. But in fairness, one must say that Ireland has received a lot of money from the EU. If Ireland does not take the EU seriously, we have all done something wrong."
