Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs - General Affairs and External Relations Council Luxembourg, 26-27 April, 2004

Mr. Chairman and members of the Joint Committee, I am particularly pleased to have this opportunity to appear again before this Committee to review the agenda of the forthcoming General Affairs and External Relations Council. As we have now passed the half way point in our Presidency, I would like to avail of this opportunity to update the Committee on progress to date on our Presidency Programme and the work which remains to be done. My colleague, Minister of State Tom Kitt, will brief the Committee on the development aspects of the Presidency and the development issues due to be considered at next week’s Council. Full Press Release available here. Top