Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes Finnish counterpart to Dublin
An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Preas Ráiteas
Department of Foreign Affairs Press Release
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Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes Finnish counterpart to Dublin
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin T.D. today met with Finnish Foreign Minister Stubb at Iveagh House. Speaking after the meeting Minister Martin said:
“I am glad to have the opportunity to meet my colleague Alexander Stubb in Ireland. We have spoken about a number of important issues: the Lisbon Treaty; the economic and financial situation; climate change and renewable energy negotiations; as well as the current situation in Georgia, where I am traveling later today, Russia and the OSCE. Minister Stubb is the Chair of the OSCE this year and we will have an important meeting in Helsinki in a fortnight to discuss some of these vital issues.
We face real economic challenges at this time, which are impacting on citizens across Europe. There is no way that any country can deal with global problems alone. We believe that our contribution to the decisions at EU level is critical to formulating a solution which addresses our circumstances.
We cannot allow our concerns and interests to be overshadowed by endless institutional debates over Treaty changes. We have to resolve these issues and deal with the real business of addressing the difficulties and challenges experienced by our citizens.
Mr Ganley yesterday told the special Oireachtas sub committee on Ireland and Europe that the Government wants partners to isolate us. This is ridiculous nonsense. My meeting with Minister Stubb today shows the very opposite - the Government is working very hard with partners to find a way forward.
Our intention is to ensure that Ireland would never find itself isolated, now or in the future. We absolutely need to be in the mainstream to defend and advance our interests.
Alexander and I have both recently come to our respective jobs and I am delighted to welcome him here to Dublin, to highlight the excellent relations between Ireland and Finland and to help prepare for the European Council and the OSCE Ministerial meeting in Helsinki next month.
ENDS+++
Press Office
19th November 2008
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