European Union foreign ministers will discuss the financing of enlargement of the EU over the next few days.
It follows the endorsement of the Treaty of Nice by a majority of Irish voters.
The discussions are being held ahead of a weekend summit in Brussels where the details of enlargement will be considered.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Yes vote has been enthusiastically welcomed across Europe.
The French President, Jacques Chirac, said the vote cleared the way for what he called the unity of our continent.
The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, said the people of Ireland had lived up to their great responsibility for Europe.
The European Commission issued a statement saying the Irish vote on the Nice Treaty was a "very important step" on the road towards EU enlargement though it added that much remained to be done.
