IRELAND/EU: Foreign ministers from some 20 countries will attend a meeting in Dublin Castle of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, a forum for co-operation between the EU and neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean region, writes Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Correspondent.
The Middle East is likely to dominate the discussions, which begin tonight and conclude with a press conference tomorrow. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr Silvan Shalom, and his Palestinian counterpart, Dr Nabil Sha'ath, are due to be present.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, will be coming straight from a meeting of the Quartet in New York. This comprises the US, UN, EU and Russian Federation, who have all committed to seeking a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Meanwhile, the European Commission approved €1.24 billion in assistance to neighbouring Mediterranean countries in 2005 and 2006. "This decision illustrates the extent of our political commitment to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership: we put our money where our mouth is," the EU's External Relations Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten, said.
On a visit to Brussels last week, the Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gadafy, met Commission President Mr Romano Prodi, who said the EU was committed to integrating Libya into the partnership.