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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of locations which he has visited in the context of possible bilateral or multilateral aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27899/98]

From 12 to 17 August, I visited Kenya and Sudan in connection with the humanitarian emergency in southern Sudan. The purpose of that visit was to secure access to the hardest hit areas for relief operations and to urge the relevant parties to search for solutions to the underlying political and military causes of the conflict. It was also an opportunity to see first-hand the worst effects of this devastating famine. On 11 to 12 February, I attended a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers with their counterparts from the Rio Group of South and Central American countries in Panama City. Discussions focussed on co-operation across a range of fields, including the promotion of enhanced trade and investment between the EU States and Latin America.

I also, of course, take advantage of other engagements and meetings abroad to discuss development co-operation issues. As part of my visit to the United Nations last September, for example, I attended a meeting between the Secretary General and Ministers for Foreign Affairs from developed countries to discuss conflict prevention issues in Africa and the role development co-operation can play in this area.

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