The European Union today assured Japan that if it removes its 16-year-old ban on arms sales to China, it will ensure future sales of European weapons systems will not aggravate the security situation in East Asia.

Europe’s leaders will meet in Brussels for dinner next week on the way back from the NATO summit in Istanbul – but only if there is a consensus by then on who should be the next president of the European Commission.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is beginning his last week of international engagements in his role as President of the European Council of Ministers.