John Bruton
Question:17 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the communications, if any, he has had with the new Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Racan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4851/00]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
John Bruton
Question:18 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the preparatory meetings, if any, he will have prior to his attendance at the Special European Council on Employment in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000; if he has received an agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4852/00]
John Bruton
Question:19 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the preparatory meetings, if any, he will have prior to his attendance at the EU/Africa Summit in Cairo on 3 and 4 April 2000; if he has received an agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4853/00]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:20 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the terms of the letter he sent to Commissioner Prodi and members of the European Council on the matter of the spread of HIV-AIDS, particularly in Africa; the replies, if any, he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5089/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 20, inclusive, together.
I have not yet had any communications with Mr. Ivico Racan, the new Croatian Prime Minister, who has been in office for just under a month.
I will meet with Prime Minister Guterres on 28 February as part of his tour of capitals to discuss the content of the Special European Council which is taking place in Lisbon on 23-24 March. The Cabinet committee on EU affairs has already discussed the summit in detail at its last meeting on 8 February. No formal agenda has been made available in advance of the summit but a series of correspondence papers and meetings have taken place between the presidency and partners. Apart from particular input at two special preparatory meetings in Lisbon and Brussels of Prime Ministers' representatives, officials from my Department have held discussions around the general themes of employment, social exclusion and also knowledge and innovation in the Information Society with visiting Portuguese, UK and Swedish delegations. However, in addition to the focus on employment, it is likely that other matters of a current nature will be discussed, and that the Presidency will wish to update partners in relation to the Intergovernmental Conference and CFSP developments, both of which will be discussed in more detail at the June meeting of the European Council. An opportunity to review progress on the Charter of Fundamental Rights will also be available.
I plan to hold a meeting of the Cabinet committee on EU affairs immediately in advance of my departure for the summit. I expect that this meeting will also consider preparations for the Euro-African Cairo Summit which is scheduled to take place on 3 and 4 April. It has been agreed that the agenda for the first summit between the Heads of State or Government of the European Union and Africa will include economic and social, political and development issues. Preparatory meetings at official level are ongoing and I continue to follow developments closely. The summit is a historic and constructive step in the development of the EU's future relations with Africa. I believe that it will provide an excellent opportunity to further enhance the close links that already exist between us and develop our partnership for the future in a positive way.
Following my visit to Lesotho and South Africa, I wrote to the President of the Commission and to members of the European Council in January proposing that the EU and the member states should explore what additional steps might be taken in order to address the challenge of HIV-AIDS in Africa. My letter mentioned that this year the Commission would be assessing the operations, financed under the existing Com munity regulation on HIV-AIDS, in developing countries.
This assessment should provide a useful opportunity to revitalise the EU's approach to this issue. It will also be necessary to explore the scope for greater collective action by the EU and the member states and to review the level of resources currently committed to the fight against HIV-AIDS.
My letter also raised the issue of access by the affected developing countries to generic rather than branded medicines for the treatment of AIDS at reasonable cost. I have also raised the matter with Commissioner Byrne.
Since January there have been informal official level contacts both with President Prodi's office and with the relevant directorates in the Commission. I understand that the Commission is preparing a comprehensive and detailed response to my initiative which has been positively received. I expect that a formal reply from the Commission will be received this week.
At the informal meeting of the Development Ministers in Lisbon on 27-28 January, Ireland raised the issue of the fight against AIDS. We again suggested that the Commission and the member states should consider how best the EU could collectively assist the most affected countries. Our intervention was received warmly and the development Ministers singled out the HIV-AIDS issue as one of central importance to the future of development.
It is also worth noting that, in preparation for the forthcoming Euro-African Cairo summit, EU member states including Ireland, are identifying the fight against HIV-AIDS as a priority for discussion with our African partners. This summit will provide a useful forum for a further expression of the international solidarity which is essential if the spread of HIV-AIDS is to be checked and those infected are to receive treatment.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to work with the Commission and with the member states with a view to promoting a more concerted and visible approach by the EU in the fight against the spread of HIV-AIDS in developing countries. Given the importance of the issue, I have suggested that, if necessary, it might be discussed at a future meeting of the European Council.