I propose to take questions Nos. 2 to 15, 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 set to take place in New York on 6-8 September 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 the round-table sessions will form the agenda for our discussions at the summit and have yet to be decided.
The Secretary-General presented his report for the Millennium Summit to the General Assembly on Monday, 3 April. Mr. Annan wrote to me on 24 April enclosing a copy of his report which is entitled "We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century". He advised me that he prepared his report to facilitate the preparations by member states for the summit. The report 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-Gen eral 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 respect for international law. The adoption by national governments of a new ethic of conservation and stewardship of the environment is also identified as a priority.
The report offers a broad and challenging agenda for consideration in the lead-up to, and during, the summit. Ireland is working to ensure the success of the summit through the participation of my personal representative, Mr. Noel Dorr, in the group of 16 which has already contributed significantly to identifying issues for consideration by the summit. Preparations for Ireland's participation at the summit are being handled by our permanent representative to the UN in New York and by relevant officials, primarily in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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 on the illness of Mr. Obuchi, the previous Prime Minister, and our hopes for his recovery.
I was very happy to welcome former President Nelson Mandela to Government Buildings on 12 April during his private visit to Ireland. We had an interesting meeting. I enjoyed once again hearing his views on conflict resolution, arising from extensive experience. In particular, we discussed the Northern Ireland peace process and he emphasised the need for generosity on all sides to achieve progress. I thanked him for the help which South Africa has given in 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 discussed 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.
I received a courtesy call from the Vice-Premier of China, Mr. Li Lanquing, at Government Buildings on 19 April last. The Vice-Premier has particular responsibility for trade, investment and education, and was in Ireland as the guest of the Tánaiste. My discussions with him dealt mainly with trade and economic matters. We discussed points of mutual interest, including the development of Ireland's Asia strategy and other aspects of bilateral and multilateral relations. These included the preparations for the forthcoming ASEM III Summit in Korea and negotiations with the EU regarding China's accession to the WTO. We also had a brief discussion of political issues, in the course of which the Vice-Premier outlined the current Chinese position on Taiwan and said that China's desire was to achieve reunification with Taiwan through peaceful negotiation. I described developments in Northern Ireland including human rights.
The next meeting of the European Council will take place in Feira in Portugal on 19 and 20 June. The agenda has not yet been finalised. However, I expect it to focus on issues of current interest to the Union, such as the Intergovernmental Conference and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Both issues will be progressed further by the French Presidency in the second half of the year. Given the very successful Lisbon Special European Council on Employment, I also expect discussion to ensure the implementation of the conclusions agreed.
With regard to the position concerning bilateral relations with Austria, I have received no communications from the Presidency or other EU Heads of Government since the announcement of the agreed position of the 14 member states on 31 January last. We did, of course, discuss this matter at the EU Council in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March. In common with other EU Heads of Government, I have received a copy of a letter issued by the Presidency to President Klestil following the Lisbon Council confirming the position of the 14 as expressed at Lisbon. I also understand that the measures of the 14 against Austria were raised during the course of an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in the Azores at the weekend. Several partners, including Ireland, were of the view that there is a need to reflect on how this issue has developed, and to consider possible ways of resolving it. Clearly, we must continue to monitor closely developments in Austria.
Official level contacts have been maintained with Austrian officials through meetings between officials in my Department and officials in the Austrian Embassy. No requests for such meetings were declined. Neither myself nor the Minister of State has had political level meetings with the Austrian Ambassador. I received an invitation, forwarded to me by the Austrian Ambassador, on behalf of the organisers of the European Economic Symposium in Alpbach which is taking place from 30 August to 1 September in Austria, which I have declined on diary grounds.
I will undertake an official visit to Poland from 24 to 26 May. Preparations for the visit are ongoing involving officials from my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Poland. Accordingly, the programme for my visit is still being finalised. However, I will be meeting with the Polish Prime Minister, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, the President, Mr. Alexander Kwasniewski, and the Speakers of the Polish Parliament and Senate. I am pleased to say I will be accompanied by a large business del egation of 45 companies. During the visit I will meet with them and their Polish partners as well as perform the official opening of new facilities for some Irish companies expanding their operations in the Polish market. I will also host a reception for the Irish community and business interests in Poland.
Apart from Poland, the only confirmed overseas visits in my diary between now and the end of July are my attendance at the European Council Meeting on 19 and 20 June in Feira and an official visit to Norway on 25 and 26 June. Prime Minister Goh of Singapore and Prime Minister Patterson of Jamaica are scheduled to visit Ireland during June and I look forward to meeting them during their visits here.