Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
John Bruton
Question:
7
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
the plans, if any, he has to attend the millennium summit organised by the United Nations in September 2000: if he has received an agenda for this event; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10422/00]
John Bruton
Question:
8
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
the communication, if any, he has had with the new Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10558/00]
John Bruton
Question:
9
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will report on his recent meeting with the former President of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11347/00]
John Bruton
Question:
10
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
if he has prepared an agenda for his forthcoming meeting in Dublin with the Vice-Premier of China, Mr. Li Lanquing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11348/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, together.
Last August, I accepted an invitation from the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, to attend the United Nations millennium summit which is currently set to take place in New York on September 6-8 next. In my letter accepting Secretary-General Annan's invitation, I indicated my hope that the outcome of the summit might be a serious and realistic programme to renew, revitalise and strengthen the UN for a new era.
On 15 March 2000, the General Assembly decided that the summit's overall theme will be "The Role of the United Nations in the Twenty-First Century". It also decided that the summit will be composed of plenary meetings and of four interactive round-table sessions. The themes for discussion at the round-table sessions have yet to be decided by the member states in New York. They will form the agenda for our discussions at the summit.
The Secretary-General presented his report for the millennium summit to the General Assembly on Monday 3 April. The report entitled "We the Peoples: the Role of the United Nations in the 21 Century" is intended to facilitate preparations by member states for the forthcoming millennium summit. It identifies some of the pressing challenges faced by the world's population and proposes a number of immediate priorities for consideration at the summit itself. Heads of state or government are urged to take action in areas such as poverty, water, debt relief, education, HIV-AIDS, slum clearance, youth employment and information technology. The Secretary-General also urges the summit to make special provision for the needs of Africa, and to fully support Africans in their struggle to overcome the continent's problems. In addition, the Secretary-General calls for a renewed focus on conflict prevention and disarmament and on respect for international law. The adoption of a new ethic of conservation and stewardship of the environment is also identified as a priority. In my view, the report offers a broad and challenging agenda for consideration in the lead-up to, and during the summit. The Government will work to ensure the success of the summit.
On 6 April, I wrote to the new Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, congratulating him on his appointment and wishing him well for the future. I also took the opportunity to express, both to Prime Minister Mori and to Mrs Obuchi, the sympathy of the Irish people for Mr. Obuchi's illness and our hopes for his recovery. I have also written to the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Simitis, congratulating him on his re-election on 9 April.
I was very happy to welcome former President Nelson Mandela to Government Buildings on 12 April during his private visit to Ireland. We had a very interesting meeting. I enjoyed once again hearing his views, arising from extensive experience, on conflict resolution. In particular, we discussed the peace process and he emphasised the need for generosity on all sides in order to achieve progress. I thanked him for the help which South Africa has given in relation to the peace process. We discussed developments in South Africa, and spoke about my visit there earlier this year. I mentioned the trade delegation which accompanied me and we spoke briefly about trade matters. We spoke about the recent Africa-Europe summit and Mr. Mandela briefed me on the progress of his work as facilitator of the Burundi peace negotiations. He thanked me for Ireland's support for South African reconstruction and development and asked that Ireland continue its commitment to development, not just in South Africa but also in other parts of the African continent.
Later today, I will meet Mr Li Lanqing, Vice-Premier of China. The Vice-Premier has particular responsibility for trade, investment and education and he is in Ireland as the guest of the Tánaiste. No formal agenda has been set for his meeting with me, but I expect to discuss points of mutual interest, including the development of Ireland's Asia strategy and other aspects of bilateral economic relations, as well as international developments of note including preparations for the forthcoming ASEM III summit in Korea and the ASEM Young Leaders' Forum which Ireland will host this June.
