The treaty has been approved by parliamentary vote in both countries and Poland's president has said he will sign once Irish voters have had their say.

ECONOMIST: Ireland and the Lisbon Treaty

All the more important, he said, to set up a security-related dialogue between the two countries involving both civilian and military officials.

ECONOMIST: Wary detente between China and America

Glaxo will donate supplies of both the swine flu vaccine and Relenza to the WHO for use in developing countries, he said.

CNN: Swine flu drug sales soar amid stockpiling

"We did discuss a range of options that would be directed to the NATO force overall, which includes both the US force contribution, plus what other NATO countries would contribute as well, " he said at a news conference.

BBC: US denies German claim over US troops in Afghanistan

China and India had increased both public and private investment in ICT in Africa, and other countries could do the same, he said.

UNESCO: Communication and Information

"It has been piloted in a number of countries both in Italy and even President Obama is looking at this approach in America, " he said.

BBC: Fears over pylons in beauty spots