Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In respect of the first matter, extraordinary rendition was not discussed at the recent meetings. It was raised this time last year by the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the General Affairs and External Affairs Council. The EU wrote to the Americans. Following this, the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, visited Europe and gave assurances. I reported on the previous meeting on St. Patrick's Day to the House at the time.

In respect of the situation in Russia and the meeting with President Putin, the matter attracted quite considerable attention at the European Council because the journalist had been killed in the preceding few days. There was a common EU position on the issue. The European Commission intends to open negotiations on a new legal framework to govern EU-Russia relations which will supersede the current partnership and co-operation agreement, which expired on 30 November. It has been agreed to roll over the existing agreement and that more time is needed for discussions. A number of issues are covered in this.

The death of Anna Politkovskaya has again highlighted civil and human rights. There are considerable tensions surrounding this issue. If one asks me whether President Putin satisfied everybody on this issue, the answer is that he takes quite an aggressive line with European leaders on this issue. He continually does so at meetings, defends his position and denies any involvement by any Russian state sources in any killings, interference with the press or others involved. This is the standard answer. It generates a substantial amount of tension at all of the meetings. This tension is increasing, regardless of the recent event, because almost every time a meeting is held, some other litany of actions has happened. As Deputy Joe Higgins rightly pointed out, only some of these events are publicised here. A considerable number of business people, chairmen of major organisations, journalists and human rights advocates have been executed in one form or another in the recent past. This issue is not only raised at meetings with President Putin but also at meetings held every six months with the Presidency. Each Presidency in turn meets President Putin. He gives his stated answer and that is as much as I can say about the matter.

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