Minister Martin meets German Foreign Minister in Berlin

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin T.D., today met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin primarily to discuss Ireland's relationship with the European Union and our continuing efforts to resolve the issues which have resulted from the rejection of the Reform Treaty.

Speaking after the meeting Minister Martin said:

"We had a productive and fruitful discussion and I want to thank Herr Steinmeier for all his interest and support. This meeting is one of a series of bilaterals I have had with EU partners. I have been received with friendship and understanding on Ireland’s position at all of them. There is no question of any partner seeking to impose views, but rather do they wish to help us to resolve what is an issue for the entire Union.

We will as the Taoiseach has said, report fully to the December Council and hope to be in a position there to define elements of a solution and a common path to follow. Meetings such as this help us to prepare the ground with partners in achieving the necessary consensus on a way forward.

Relations between Ireland and Germany are excellent and we enjoy particularly close economic relations which formed the background to much of our discussion on the continuing global economic situation, as well as on a range of foreign policy matters of particular interest.

I have invited Minister Steinmeier to visit Ireland in the near future”.

**ENDS**

Press Office

13/11/08