Michael Ahern
Question:21 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, there are for bilateral meetings with EU Heads of Government other than the British Prime Minister. [12246/95]
Written Answers. - EU Heads of Governemnt Meetings.
I assume that Deputy Michael Ahern's question relates to the Taoiseach's plans for bilateral meetings particularly in the context of Ireland's forthcoming Presidency.
Preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 1996 has been under way for over a year now. As part of the planning process and in preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, including the European Council to be held in Dublin in December 1996, the Taoiseach intends to maintain bilateral contacts, concentrating particularly on the Presidency, with Heads of Government of the European Union member states over the coming year. For example, the Taoiseach met Prime Minister González, the current Chair of the Council, in Madrid on 3 October. He is to meet with Prime Minister Junker of Luxembourg in Dublin next month. Details of further meetings are being worked out at present.
In addition to a series of bilateral meetings, the Taoiseach will have a number of opportunities to discuss issues on the European Union agenda with the Heads of State or Government at the European Council in Madrid in December and at one or more European Councils during the Italian Presidency. Heads of State or Government will also meet in the context of the Europe-Asia Summit in Bangkok at the end of February — beginning of March 1996. During these summits there will be the opportunity for the Taoiseach to meet bilterally with his European colleagues to discuss issues of relevance to Irish bilateral interests and to the Irish Presidency.
For my own part, I will be holding meetings with colleagues over the coming months. For instance, I visited Helsinki earlier this month for a meeting with my Finnish opposite number. Planning is far advanced for bilateral meetings with the Italian Foreign Minister who will precede me in the Chair and with the Dutch Foreign Minister who will follow me.
In addition, of course I will have the opportunity to meet my counterparts at every meeting of the General Affairs Council as well as at the European Councils scheduled between now and the start of our Presidency. I have had two meetings this year with the President of the European Parliament and I will be meeting members of the Commission well in advance of our Presidency.
As the Minister responsible for co-ordinating the Presidency, I am encouraging all Ministers with Presidency responsibilities to ensure that they hold bilateral meetings with their counterparts in member states, with relevant Commissioners and members of the European Parliament in the lead up to our Presidency. It is our view that adequate preparation for the Presidency will enable us to ensure that the aims and objectives of our Presidency can be achieved.