Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the most recent meetings hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the European Union [36092/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On 16 September I accompanied the Taoiseach to a meeting of the European Council in Brussels which was convened by President Van Rompuy to consider the EU's approach to external relations and its engagement with strategic partners. The meeting confirmed the lead role of the European Council in defining the EU's strategic interests and objectives. Issues highlighted at the meeting included the need for improved coordination between EU Member States regarding relations with third countries; the identification of key objectives in advance of high level meetings with strategic partners; and the role of the European External Action Service. Over lunch President Van Rompuy briefed Heads of State and Government on progress of discussions in the Task Force on enhanced economic governance.

The European Council also agreed on the approach to take at the EU summit with China. They decided that the key messages to bring to the G20 summit in Seoul and the EU-US Summit in November would be discussed at the October European Council.