Taoiseach Travels to Spain for Euromed Conference
28th November 2005
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD today travels to Barcelona, Spain where he will attend the Euromed Summit.
The Barcelona Conference of EU and Mediterranean Foreign Ministers in 1995 marked the start of a new partnership phase of the relationship between the EU and the Mediterranean and is known as the Barcelona Process or EuroMed Partnership.
The 10th anniversary summit will be co-chaired by the British and Spanish Prime Ministers. The Summit is expected to issue a Declaration covering issues such as the Middle East Peace Process, terrorism, governance and human rights, economic reform and education.
In addition to many of the Heads of State and Government of the European Union, the Summit will be attended by representatives from the EU’s Mediterranean partners including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.
While at the Summit the Taoiseach will attend a dinner hosted by the King of Spain and deliver a national statement to the Plenary meeting of the Summit. The Taoiseach will also have an opportunity to hold discussions with a number of the Heads of State and Government of the EU’s Mediterranean partners.