Roche meets French counterpart

Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche today held talks on the Reform Treaty in his Co Wicklow constituency with his French counterpart.

Mr Roche and Jean-Pierre Jouyet discussed a range of other issues including the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU budget review.

The meeting follows discussions between the Taoiseach and President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris in September.

Mr Roche said: “Our discussions centred on EU issues, in particular agriculture, the Reform Treaty and the EU budget review.

“The Taoiseach’s recent meeting with President Sarkozy was very productive and I welcomed the opportunity to make progress with France’s European Affairs minister Jouyet on several areas identified as key for close co-operation between Ireland and France."