I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 11, inclusive, together.
As outlined in my comprehensive statement to the Dáil last Tuesday, I attended the European Council in Cologne on 3 and 4 June. We had a useful discussion with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Gil Robles, on the important role which the European Parliament will play, given its extended powers under the Amsterdam Treaty. During the first working session we had an indepth discussion of European security and defence policy. The common strategy for Russia, reform of the Commission, East Timor and relations with Turkey and Ukraine were also discussed. In the second working session, we discussed the European employment pact, institutional reform, the next Intergovernmental Conference and the proposed charter of fundamental rights.
The Finnish President, Mr. Ahtisaari, joined the Council following his peace talks in Belgrade with President Milosevic at which he was accompanied by Mr. Chernomyrdin. We had a long discussion about the situation in Kosovo and the progress taking place while the summit was in session towards agreement by the Yugoslav authorities of the peace plan. We issued a declaration on Kosovo after the Council which highlighted the urgent need for the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on this matter. This is the approach which had been advocated by Ireland and which has now successfully been put in place with the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 1244 on 10 June. It was also an approach suggested by the Greek Prime Minister in a letter to his EU counterparts in advance of the summit. We also discussed the broader Balkan region and the European Council endorsed the progress towards the stability pact for south-eastern Europe.
On the subject of enlargement, a positive message was sent to all 11 accession states. In relation to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia and Cyprus, a commitment was given to open negotiations in all remaining areas covered by the acquis as early as possible next year. The Helsinki European Council in December will examine the progress made by all the accession candidates. It is crucial for stability in Europe that the momentum towards enlargement is maintained.
An issue of key interest to Ireland at the Council was the declaration on strengthening the common European policy on security and defence. The declaration agreed at Cologne reflects a common analysis among EU member states of the objectives we seek on the basis of the Amsterdam Treaty, effectively peacekeeping and crisis management, and how best to achieve these objectives. The declaration issued takes account of the views and positions of all four non-NATO EU member states.
The summit also approved Mr. Javier Solana for the new post of Secretary General of the Council and High Representative for CFSP. Mr. Pierre de Boissieu was appointed as Deputy Secretary General.
The summit discussed the scope, preparations and timetable for the next intergovernmental conference and the proposed EU charter of fundamental rights. The summit was also attended by the Commission President designate, Mr. Prodi, who discussed with the HOSGs the future work and required reforms of the Commission.
The summit reached agreement on the European employment pact. Most of the goals which it sets already underpin the ongoing economic and social policy objectives pursued in this country, especially in the context of social partnership. I am very supportive of the more important role outlined for social partners at EU level.
As I outlined in my statement, I took the opportunity to strongly support the extension of the duty free regime and drew attention to the difficulties caused by the decision to bring it to an end. Unfortunately, the outcome on duty free was very disappointing. Unanimity would have been required to reverse abolition but our efforts to secure an extension of the current regime met with resistance from other member states, particularly Denmark.
The European Council welcomed the intention of the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Barak, to resume negotiations with the Palestinians and Syrians and to seek a solution to the problem of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. Discussed also were issues related to the World Trade Organisation. In particular, the Council gave a strong endorsement of the efforts being made by China and Russia to achieve World Trade Organisation accession.
I met Prime Minister Blair on the evening of Wednesday, 2 June in Cologne. In addition to matters related to Northern Ireland, we discussed many of the issues on the agenda for the Council, including aspects of the Kosovo situation and duty free.
My Department is in constant contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and our embassies in relation to developments on the EU agenda. As I outlined in my statement, in advance of the Cologne Council I established a Cabinet committee to co-ordinate EU business. Its core members are the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Finance and Foreign Affairs. In addition to matters related to Northern Ireland, we discussed many of the issues on the agenda for the Council, including aspects of the Kosovo situation and duty free sales.
My Department is in constant contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and our embassies abroad about developments on the EU agenda. As I outlined in my statement, in advance of the Cologne Council I established a Cabinet committee to co-ordinate EU business. Its core members are the Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In addition, the Attorney General and other Ministers will attend, as appropriate, on particular issues. This forum will allow for the required focus to be given to the important issues arising on the EU agenda. The committee's first meeting took place in preparation for the summit.
I will attend a special meeting of the European Council on 15 and 16 October in Tampere, Finland. The Tampere summit will be the second occasion on which an EU summit has been devoted to one topic. The Council will evaluate progress achieved and give further direction to the actions of the EU in the area of justice and home affairs. We look forward to the discussions which we will have in Tampere on the action plan for the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice and on the report of the high level working group on asylum and migration. The Cabinet committee will meet in advance of the October summit.
Interdepartmental meetings at official level will also take place. A senior level meeting between Finnish, German, Council secretariat and Com mission officials and representatives from my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has already taken place as part of initial consultations by the Finnish Presidency on preparations for Tampere. With regard to wider plans for the Finnish Presidency of the EU, the Minister for Foreign Affairs will receive Foreign Minister Halonen of Finland in Dublin tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I have had to cancel my plans to attend the EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit to be held in Rio de Janeiro on 28 and 29 June, due to negotiations between the parties in Northern Ireland for which a deadline of 30 June has been set. I must make myself available to provide whatever assistance I can to the parties in these negotiations.
The Irish Government will be represented at the EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, and by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews, accompanied by relevant officials from those Departments. The summit will be the first ever between the two regions. It is intended to launch a new strategic partnership providing for enhanced co-operation in political, economic and cultural spheres. In view of the summit's importance, I requested that the Tánaiste represent me and that she conduct the bilateral meetings which I had planned to hold with a number of Latin American and Caribbean heads of state or government. Arrangements for these bilateral meetings have not yet been finalised.
On 16 June, I met a delegation of the foreign affairs committee of the National People's Congress of China. We exchanged views on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Most of our discussions centred on economic and trade matters. Naturally, we also spoke about my visit to China last year. We discussed human rights, Tibet and Kosovo. I extended my condolences to the delegation on the loss of life in the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade.