The EU Action Plan on Drugs 2000-2004 obliges each Presidency of the EU to facilitate a meeting of the national drugs co-ordinators from the different member states. Such meetings are usually attended by officials, although individual national co-ordinationstructures vary and a small number of Ministers may attend. The meeting under the Irish Presidency will be held in Clontarf Castle on 15 June 2004.
Although the agenda has not yet been finalised for the June meeting, the aim of these meetings in general is to provide an up-date on the various national drug situations, on developing drugs legislation and to exchange useful comparative data. The meetings also aims to foster exchanges of information and debate. The Deputy should note that the meeting in June will be the first meeting of national drug co-ordinators of the 25 member states.