Vol. 574 No. 3
30 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the meeting between the Minister of State and Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26727/03]
The Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, met with Mr Antonia Costa on 17 October last. Discussions focused on Ireland's support for the UN Office for Drugs and Crime –€500,000 in 2003; the issues of reform and management of UNODC under Mr Costa; the work of the Office and in particular the current situation in relation to opium production in Afghanistan. The Minister of State outlined the details of the forthcoming Dublin International Conference on HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia which will take place next February. The Minister issued an invitation to Mr. Costa to attend the conference and Mr. Costa accepted.
