Taoiseach to meet with José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, before attending European Council

The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin T.D. and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche T.D., will today attend the European Council in Brussels.

Discussions at the Council will cover the implications of high global food and oil prices; other economic, social and environmental issues; Freedom, security and justice matters; Western Balkans: and external relations including the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, which will be launched at a summit in Paris in July involving EU and Mediterranean Heads of State. 

The Lisbon Treaty will also be a major point of discussion.  In light of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty last week, the Taoiseach will give his initial assessment of the outcome and its implications, and hear other Member States’ initial reactions. 

In advance of the European Council meeting, the Taoiseach will have separate meetings with the current President of the European Council, Prime Minister Janez Janša of the Republic of Slovenia; the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso; and the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Hans-Gert Pöttering.  The discussions at these meetings will focus primarily on the outcome of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

ENDS