Ahern to meet EU counterparts in Slovenia

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today travels to Slovenia for a two-day meeting of his EU counterparts.

The Balkan nation, which joined the EU in 2004, currently holds the rotating presidency of the 27-state bloc.

The informal spring meeting of EU foreign ministers is expected to focus on all aspects of EU foreign policy including the Lisbon Treaty, the Middle East and EU relations with Russia.

Mr Ahern is due to update his counterparts on Ireland’s preparations for the Lisbon Treaty referendum, expected in early June.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visited Slovenia last month and held talks with with prime minister Janez Jansa in Ljubljana.