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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General to call on Heads of the European Commission, OECD, UNESCO and La Francophonie

28 February 2005

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will be visiting Brussels and Paris this week for talks with the leaders of four international organisations. The focus of the talks will be to increase political momentum for the Doha Development Round meetings at the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong in December. The talks will also promote initiatives to support developing countries, and continue to advocate global responses to the unique needs of small island developing states.

In Brussels, Mr McKinnon will meet with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The meeting will be the second annual dialogue between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commission, initiated by the Secretariat to promote understanding between the Commonwealth's 53 members and the European Union's 25 members.

Mr McKinnon will also meet other European Commissioners and the European Union High Representative for Common Security and Defence Policy, Javier Solana, as well as representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries and Commonwealth Ambassadors.

"The Commonwealth Secretariat and European Commission already have a mature relationship, built on shared values, interests and political objectives. The aim of my discussions is to find ways to tackle together some of today's pressing international challenges, such as the need for real political momentum in the Doha Round before the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong," Mr McKinnon said.

"Both the Commonwealth Secretariat and European Commission have memberships with a deep commitment to democracy, free and fair global trade and the elimination of poverty through effective assistance to developing countries. There is potential for the Secretariat and Commission to build on these areas positively together".

In Paris, Mr McKinnon is to meet with the Secretary-General of L'Agence Intergouvernementale de la Francophonie, Abdou Diouf. The two organisations already collaborate extensively in debt relief, trade negotiations, capacity-building, and development co-operation. "There is scope for our two organisations to move forward actively together, especially in strengthening human rights and democracy," Mr McKinnon commented.

The Secretary-General will also meet in Paris with Donald Johnston, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss ways of advancing the WTO trade talks, donor harmonisation, and the scope for further collaboration. "The interests and activities of our two organisations already intersect regularly around the world on issues as diverse as money laundering, anti-corruption, donor harmonisation, and supporting good governance in global trade. I am keen to ensure our two organisations continue to bring our respective views and collective weight to bear on global challenges in a positive and collaborative way," Mr McKinnon said.

In the Secretary-General's meeting with Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, they will discuss issues relating to education, information technology, HIV/AIDS and indigenous culture. "The Secretariat has a longstanding relationship with UNESCO. It is most appropriate that I visit this year when the Commonwealth Day theme is focused on education. In this and other areas, we can learn and share with UNESCO," Mr McKinnon concluded.

Note to Editors:

The Commonwealth Secretary-General will be in Brussels on Wednesday, 2 March, and in Paris on Thursday, 3 and Friday, 4 March 2005.

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