UN: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has called for a common European Union position on reforming the United Nations and closer co-operation between the EU and Africa in advance of September's decision-making summit in New York.
Speaking in Warsaw, where he is attending a summit of the Council of Europe, Mr Ahern said the EU was close to agreement on many elements of UN secretary general Kofi Annan's reform proposals but that important differences remained, particularly over the composition of the Security Council.
Mr Ahern is one of five envoys appointed by Mr Annan to seek agreement on reforming UN structures and activities.
"The whole process would get a huge shot in the arm if the EU had a common position and it is the desire, I understand, of the EU countries to have a common position on as much as they can, which would be a substantial element.
"That would be seen as making a headline for the rest of the world's regions, if the EU can show cause," he said.
Mr Ahern said the EU should build on its common interests with Africa on issues such as Overseas Development Aid (ODA) and a proposal to create a peacebuilding commission to marshal long-term international efforts in post-conflict situations.
Mr Ahern defended Ireland's opposition to a proposal by some EU countries to fund development aid through an international tax on airline fuel or airline tickets.
"If you're paying €5 on a Ryanair ticket and then there's in effect a government tax of perhaps €20 or €30 on it, that's a huge additional cost. And for a country like Ireland, which has a substantial tourist industry, it would be detrimental. There are better ways of raising ODA," he said.
Mr Ahern discussed UN reform yesterday in bilateral meetings with ministers from Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Andorra and Armenia.
He will address the Council of Europe summit on the issue today and hold meetings with counterparts from Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Leaders from every European country except Belarus will today agree an action plan for the future of the Council of Europe and sign conventions on terrorism, human trafficking and the freezing of the financial assets of terrorists and organised criminals.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday that the Council of Europe, which is primarily a human rights organisation, should focus more on the fight against international terrorism.
"Determining a proper balance between human rights and the need to ensure society's security, we recognise the necessity to comply with universally accepted international norms," he said.
The Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism to be signed today aims to strengthen co-operation between member states on counter-terrorism measures.
It includes a provision governing the protection and compensation of victims of terrorist acts.