Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Defence the meetings, in Ireland or abroad, he has had for each of the past three years in an official capacity with Heads of States, Government Ministers or other representatives of Governments from non-OECD countries; the date and location of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16527/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that eight countries in the EU are not currently members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovenia. Both Estonia and Slovenia have begun accession talks, which will ultimately lead to membership of the organisation.

I am constantly in touch with all my EU colleagues both in the context of European Defence and Security and other matters. Two (2) official meetings of EU Defence Ministers are held during each six (6) month EU Presidency. These present the opportunity to engage in bi-lateral meetings with my defence colleagues. The most recent meeting I attended was the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels on 19 November 2007. The discussions at the meeting covered a wide range of European Defence and Security issues.

I also avail of other opportunities to facilitate discussions with my EU colleagues. During my visit to Sweden on 7 November 2007 to attend the Final Exercise (FINEX) of the Nordic Battlegroup, I met with the Defence Ministers of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Estonia, the other four nations contributing to the Battlegroup.

During the past three years I have visited Liberia, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo to meet with members of the Permanent Defence Force serving on overseas peace support operations in these countries. During my visit to Liberia in 2006, I met with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on 1 March 2006. When visiting Lebanon last year, I met with the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr Elias Murr on 27 February 2007. My most recent visit was to Kosovo last week where I met with Mr Hajredin Kuqi, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo.

In addition to the above, I have had formal meetings in Ireland with Mr Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India on 22 March 2005; Dr. Nilda Garré, Argentinean Defence Minister and Ambassador Marcelo E. Huergo on 27 September 2006; and the Bulgarian Ambassador on 21 November 2006. I have also met with various State representatives at various receptions here in Ireland.