Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent visit to Finland and the matters discussed on this visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2655/05]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent visit to Sweden and the matters discussed on this visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2654/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 190 together.

I travelled to Sweden and Finland last week to meet with the Swedish Foreign Minister, Ms Laila Freivalds, and the Finnish Foreign Minister, Mr. Erkki Tuomioja. The purpose of these visits was to have an exchange of views with my counterparts in these countries on a range of EU and international issues.

The discussions in Stockholm focused principally on the European Union's reaction, and the wider international reaction, to the tsunami in Asia, European security and defence policy and the reform of the United Nations. Other issues discussed included the ratification of the European constitution, the Middle East peace process, relations with the US and recent developments in Ukraine.

During the meeting I expressed my condolences to Minister Freivalds on the high number of Swedish victims of the tsunami disaster and briefed the Minister on my recent visit to the region. We also exchanged views on how the EU might be better equipped to respond to such disasters in the future.

At the meeting in Helsinki with Minister Tuomioja we discussed Finland's approach to negotiations on the financial perspectives and the ratification the European constitution. We also exchanged views on European security and defence policy and the EU security strategy, the reform of the United Nations and recent developments in Ukraine and in the Middle East.

I expressed my condolences to Minister Tuomioja on the losses suffered by Finland as a result of the tsunami. Minister Tuomioja referred to upcoming talks between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement, GAM, which are being facilitated and supported by the Finnish Government.

The meetings provided a very useful opportunity to exchange views with two EU partners, with whom we share views on many matters, on a range of key issues of mutual interest and I look forward to continuing these discussions and to holding bilateral consultations with other EU counterparts over the coming months. The Government attaches priority to maintaining and developing close bilateral relations with all our EU partners in an enlarged Union.