The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, held an inaugural meeting with his British counterpart last night at the British Ambassador's residence in Sandyford, Co Dublin.
The British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Robin Cook, had arrived in Dublin yesterday evening for a two-day visit.
Among the topics discussed were Northern Ireland and the current impasse over decommissioning.
The main purpose of the meeting, however, was to cover European and international issues, including current political developments in Austria and the EU's threat to isolate the country after the election of a government which incorporates the far-right Freedom Party.
