In 2000 the Irish-Scottish Academic Initiative organised in Dublin a major international conference entitled "Ireland and Scotland: Nation, Region, Identity". The event was addressed by Scotland's First Minister Donald Dewar.

Ireland's presidency will be remembered for successfully steering through the passage of the EU Constitution and presiding over the entry of 10 new countries into the Union on May 1.

Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Breton President Jean-Yves Le Drian have signed an agreement encouraging governmental co-operation in a range of areas including business, tourism and education.