Vol. 567 No. 7
79 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting with the EU High Representative for Common and Security Policy, Mr. Javier Solana; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14742/03]
The European Union Secretary-General-High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Dr. Javier Solana visited Ireland on 20 and 21 May 2003. Dr. Solana regularly visits EU member states and his visit to Dublin was part of a programme of such visits. It had added significance as an opportunity to have the benefit of Dr. Solana's advice as Ireland continues its preparations for taking on the Presidency of the EU for the first half of 2004.
During my meeting with Dr. Solana, we had a wide ranging and forward looking discussion on many of the current issues on the international agenda. We discussed the situation in the western Balkans in the light of my recent visit to the region. The EU will continue to take the lead role in the stabilisation and consolidation of the peace in this region and it will continue to be high on the EU agenda during our Presidency.
We also discussed the situation in the Middle East Dr. Solana had just returned from a visit to the region and shared with us his assessment of the situation on the ground. We both emphasised the importance of the acceptance of the quartet roadmap for peace in the Middle East, and the need for early progress in its implementation. We also discussed the situation in Iraq, and anticipated the outcome of the negotiations in the Security Council in New York on the draft resolution on Iraq, adopted the following day as Resolution 1483. We both agreed on the importance of the adoption of this resolution as a demonstration of the united purpose of the international community to meet the needs of the people of Iraq.
We had a good exchange of views on issues under consideration in the Convention on the Future of Europe, in particular on the proposals in relation to external relations and security and defence policy. Dr. Solana was already very familiar with Ireland's approach on these issues.
We also discussed our preparations for the EU Presidency. Dr. Solana will be a key figure during our Presidency, and we agreed to stay in close contact and work closely together in the build up to and during our Presidency.
