Ahern to seek support for Annan reforms

EU: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, will today seek the backing of the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, for proposals to reform the United Nations. During a one-day visit to Brussels in his role as special envoy for UN secretary general Kofi Annan, Mr Ahern will also meet Belgium's prime minister, Guy Verhofstadt.

Mr Ahern is one of five politicians Mr Annan has asked to help him promote his reform programme in advance of September's UN general assembly. The most controversial elements of the plan include an expansion of the Security Council, a new definition of terrorism, and rules for intervention in humanitarian crises.