Cowen to address arms summit

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will give a keynote address on disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons at the Asia Europe…

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will give a keynote address on disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons at the Asia Europe Summit, due to begin today.

Mr Cowen will attend the two day-event in Brussels and recall Ireland's strong association with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Ireland was the first country to both sign and ratify it.

Mr Cowen will call for a renewed effort to ensure its full implementation.

The talks will also cover a wide range of other issues of interest to both regions including global financial and economic governance and sustainable development.

Ahead of the summit, the Taoiseach will attend an Enterprise Ireland business event focussed on the IT for healthcare market in Belgium and the Netherlands.

He will also participate in the 12th Asia-Europe Business Forum, which is organised in parallel to the summit.