CANADA: A year after the start of the war in Iraq, "our position now is for the EU to work with the US to get the involvement of the UN in the Iraq administration as soon as possible", the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last night.
Mr Ahern, who met President Bush in the White House on Wednesday, was speaking at a joint press conference with the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Paul Martin, and the EU Commission President, Mr Romani Prodi, at the end of an EU-Canada summit in Ottawa.
Asked if the gap between the EU and the US had widened over events in Spain, Mr Ahern said Mr Bush was "open to and supportive of" the EU position.
The summit launched an EU-Canada Partnership Agenda to improve strategic and bilateral ties, and initiated negotiations for a bilateral Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement.
Discussion of international security following the Madrid bombings dominated much of the day-long meeting, and Mr Ahern said EU and Canada had agreed on the need to work together and tackle terrorism "which has no respect for borders".
The two sides condemned in the strongest terms the train bombings in Madrid.
In a declaration they said: "This atrocity convinces us all the more of the need to work together to tackle the pre-eminent threats to global security, including the scourge of terrorism."
They agreed to conclude negotiation on sharing advance passenger information and passenger name records as part of increased anti-terrorism measures, and to negotiate an agreement to enhance maritime security on the transportation of containers.
This was the first EU summit held with Mr Martin, who became Prime Minister in December. It was also attended by the EU Trade Commissioner, Mr Pascal Lamy, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and the Minister for Trade, Mr Ahern.
The EU-Canada Partnership Agenda is aimed at deepening ties between the EU and Canada, and enhancing co-operation in foreign and security policy.
The two sides stressed the importance of having the UN at the heart of the multilateral system.
In remarks that appeared aimed at Washington, they called for a "decisive relaunching of the Middle East peace process".
Mr Martin said environmental issues also dominated the talks, and included joint action to halt the decline in fish stocks.
They also agreed to work together to support the International Criminal Court.
The bilateral Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment flows, and develop a voluntary framework for regulatory co-operation.
The EU is one of Canada's fastest-growing investment destinations.