Seán Ryan
Question:68 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers meeting in Dublin from 4 to 6 May 2004. [14567/04]
View answerWednesday, 19 May 2004
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The Euro-Mediterranean mid-term meeting of Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their strong political commitment to the Barcelona Process and all its activities. In addition, the meeting provided a forum for the European Union and its Mediterranean partners to discuss issues relating to reform and democratisation in the region. They noted that the existing instruments such as the association agreements and national plans under the European neighbourhood policy could be utilised to support reforms and modernisation.
Agreement was reached on the location of the Anna Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue of Cultures and Civilisations in Alexandria. Ministers welcomed the setting up of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, which held its inaugural meeting in Athens on 22 and 23 March. They also welcomed agreement on the Presidency's proposals for improving the working methods of the partnership.
Aside from the Barcelona Process, the meeting afforded an opportunity to discuss regional issues including the Middle East peace process and Iraq. Ministers agreed that the clear commitment to pursuing the Middle East peace process through the implementation of the roadmap was central to the success of such a policy and committed themselves to continue to help the Iraqi people rebuild their country and regain its proper place in the regional as well as the international family.
I led the EU Troika in meetings with Israel and the Arab countries which provided further opportunities for dialogue on the Middle East peace process and the EU's strategic partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The Troika also met on 6 May with the Libyan Foreign Minister to express the Union's concern over the verdict and death sentences which had been handed down that day on five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor charged with deliberate infection of Libyan children with HIV.
I also held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and with the Secretary General of the Arab League. The Presidency conclusions have been made public through the Presidency website.