Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on not attending the planned European Union, African Union summit meeting in Portugal scheduled for December 2007, if Mr Mugabe attends also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21428/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I continue to be gravely concerned at the ongoing deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe. The hardship and deprivations being experienced by ordinary Zimbabweans are an affront to values which Europe and Africa share. The dire situation gives added urgency to the efforts being made by President Mbeki and SADC to broker a political accommodation between the parties and an economic rescue plan which will respond to the catastrophic current situation. We support President Mbeki's efforts in this regard. I believe that Zimbabwe's neighbours are best placed to keep up the necessary pressure on President Mugabe's government to alter the failed policies which have brought economic collapse and misery to its people.

Ireland supports and looks forward to the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon from 8-9 December 2007. I believe that this Summit will be timely and important for strengthening Europe's overall relationship with Africa and reaffirming our tradition of mutual engagement. The EU and Africa share an interest in working together to tackle the full spectrum of global challenges, including achieving the Millennium Development Goals, peace and security, human rights, migration, the environment, energy and trade. There are also specific country situations on which we share common concerns. The preparation of a Joint EU-Africa Strategy which will be adopted at the Lisbon Summit this December gives us an opportunity to define together how we can co-operate on these issues going forward.

The EU and the African Union will have to work together to find a formula for Zimbabwe's representation at the Lisbon Summit. The question of how the situation in Zimbabwe might be addressed at the Summit is also under consideration.

Ireland believes that it would be better if President Mugabe did not attend the Summit, and we have urged the Portuguese Presidency to explore creatively all other options for Zimbabwean representation. For example, at EU-ASEAN Summits, Burma/Myanmar has been represented by its Foreign Minister. However, I am aware that many African countries feel strongly on this issue. Likewise, many EU Member States do not wish the EU's relations with an entire continent to be held hostage to one country's problems. Invitations to the EU-Africa Summit have not yet been issued, and until all avenues have been explored it would be premature to comment further on how the issue will unfold.

Partnership with Africa is a priority for the Government and a focus of Ireland's foreign policy. This, as well as our deep concern about the situation in Zimbabwe, will be fully weighed when the time comes to decide whether to attend the Summit. Partnership with Africa is a priority for the Government and a focus of Ireland's foreign policy. This, as well as our deep concern about the situation in Zimbabwe, will be fully weighed when the time comes to decide whether to attend the Summit.