24/10/2008

Taoiseach To Give Address At Beijing Summit

The Taoiseach will today address the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing.

Yesterday, Chinese and Irish authorities negotiated an agreement to could create up to 4,500 financial jobs in Ireland over the next four years.

The agreement was finalised Beijing ahead of Brian Cowen's address, which is expected to be wholly positive.

Among other heads of state to speak will be China’s President Hu Jintao, the President of Finland Tarja Halonen and French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the EU Presidency.

The meetings delegates are expected to discuss political, economic and social issues, including issues related to sustainable development. There is no discussion planned for China's human rights record or its recent turbulent conflict with Tibet.

he Asia-Europe Meeting, established in 1996, brings together more than 40 countries from Europe and Asia.

The Summit has already addressed the conflict between Russia and Georgia, and issued a statement on the troubled country of Bolivia, calling for "the peaceful resolution of future difficulties in the country".

The formal summit programme begins today, with heads of government welcomed at the Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and briefly introduced to President Hu.

(DW)


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