Louis J. Belton
Ceist:91 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recent communications he has had with the European Commissioner for External Relations, Mr. Patten; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27566/00]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Contacts.
I meet Commissioner Patten on a regular basis, usually at the meetings of the General Affairs Council which take place at monthly intervals and on other occasions such as international conferences and meetings. I met the Commissioner most recently at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 November last. Four days prior to that, I met him in Marseille at the fourth Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers meeting. I should say that, in his capacity as European Commissioner for External Relations, it is normal practice for Commissioner Patten to communicate frequently with all the Foreign Ministers of the member states of the union, myself included.