ANDREWS TO ATTEND OAU SUMMIT
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews T.D., is to attend the annual OAU summit in Algiers, as a guest of the organisation, from today until Friday 9 July, 1999. The Minister's attendance is an act of solidarity with African countries and a confirmation of Ireland's long term commitment to the development of the continent. The Minister last visited Algeria in 1998.
It is anticipated that the Summit will discuss the intensification of economic cooperation, (through the African Economic Community), conflict prevention and resolution and various administrative issues. This meeting is also preparing the OAU position for the conference between itself and the EU, which it is intended will be held in Cairo in the spring of 2000.
The Minister will use this occasion to hold a series of bilateral meetings with African States in which Ireland does not have resident diplomatic missions. It is expected that he will discuss Ireland's contribution to conflict prevention in Africa, our Development Aid policy, Ireland's campaign for a UN Security Council seat and EU/ OAU cooperation. The Minister has a well known personal concern about the Algerian political situation and he is expected to raise this with the Summit's host country.
