Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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157. To ask the Taoiseach the issues that were discussed at meeting of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States; the decisions that were taken; the actions that will prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Taoiseach if he had any bilateral meetings around the meeting of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States; the issues that were discussed at these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

The EU - CELAC summit of Heads of State and Government took place in Brussels on 10th and 11th June on the theme "Shaping our common future: working for prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies for our citizens".

The format of the Summit involved two working group sessions and a discussion session. I attended both working group sessions and spoke on the theme "Re-invigorating the bi-regional partnership". Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy TD, attended the less formal discussion session on 11 June on my behalf.

In my intervention I supported closer ties between the EU and CELAC and raised the key global challenges of development and climate change, our priorities with regards to human rights, disarmament, and conflict resolution, and the importance of 2015 for global cooperation.

I noted the historic opportunity this year provides for global consensus on many of the key challenges we face, particularly the UN’s post-2015 development agenda and efforts to tackle climate change where Ireland is one of the UN co-facilitators for the final negotiations of this agenda.

En marge of the Summit, I had three bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

In my meeting with President Bachelet Jeria of Chile, I expressed my congratulations on the "Start up Chile" programme and my appreciation that Irish entrepreneurs have had the opportunity to participate in the programme. I also extended an invitation to the President to visit Ireland.

During my conversation with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, I noted Ireland’s support for the peace process in Colombia, the efforts of the Colombian government to promote human rights, and Ireland’s recent ratification of the EU-Colombia/Peru Free Trade Agreement as well as an interest in growing our relations with Colombia.

I also noted that the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Ms Patti Londoño, is due to visit Ireland on 17-18 June.

I also met President Peña Nieto of Mexico and discussed trade issues between Ireland and Mexico as well as the EU-Mexico Global Agreement and reiterated an invitation made by President Higgins in Mexico in 2013 to the President to visit Ireland.

I am circulating the Political Declaration titled A Partnership for the Next Generationand the Action Plan agreed at the Summit herewith.