Date of release : 03-02-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : EU-Australia Ministerial Meeting (Presidency, Commission, Council Secretariat)

Jean Asselborn, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration and current President of the Council of the European Union, today received the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for an EU Ministerial Troika Meeting with Australia at Senningen Castle in Luxembourg. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations, also took part in the discussions.

At a press conference following the meeting, Jean Asselborn made the following declaration:

“We had a very fruitful meeting and interesting exchange of views. It is always positive to see that despite the distance which separates us and the very different geographical situation we share very similar views, assessments but also concerns. Our discussions gave us also the opportunity to get a better understanding of the problems and challenges we both have to face in our respective regions.

The EU presented the priorities of the Presidency, as well in the field of external relations as on internal EU issues, such as the Lisbon Strategy, Financial Perspectives and the new Constitution. It gave an overview of recent developments, such as the forthcoming membership of Bulgaria and Romania in January 2007, the European Council’s decision on the beginning of accession negotiations with Turkey and on the start of accession negotiations with Croatia in March.

We had an exchange of views with our Australian colleague on the situation in Asia after the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean and discussed the actions we already took and those we will take in the future in response to this catastrophe which caused innumerous loss of live and indescribable destruction.  As you know, the next steps for the EU are set out in the Action Plan that has been agreed by the Council last Monday in Brussels.

On international issues, we discussed the situation in the Korean peninsula which is of course preoccupying for both of us. Minister Downer offered insight into the Australian reading of the developments in North East Asia. China – EU relations were also discussed in this respect.

We furthermore had an exchange of views on the elections in Iraq. We both commended the courage and determination of the Iraqi people in taking part in the elections despite a difficult security situation.  The elections are an important and successful stage in the process of democratic transition in Iraq. They represent the first steps taken by the Iraqi people on the road to democracy, freedom and peace, which will continue well beyond the transition period. Possible ways forward were also discussed.

The EU also found it important to inform its Australian colleagues about EU efforts to find a diplomatic solution concerning the Iranian nuclear programme.

The declaration of the American President last night to cooperate with the EU-3 on this issue is very important and helpful for putting joint pressure on Iran to prevent them from going on the way of nuclear force. Together, the Europeans and Americans can make real pressure on Iran to find a solution to this issue.

It was very interesting to hear Australia’s views on the situation in the Pacific region. Stability and sustainable development in the Pacific are also EU objectives.

As counter-terrorism concerns are very important for EU relations with third countries, the EU attaches the utmost importance to cooperation with Australia in the fight against terrorism. We pay special attention to Australia’s essential role in the region and its own neighborhood policies.

Let me conclude by saying that it was very interesting to explore, with our Australian colleague, ways to even further enhance our good cooperation in all the fields and issues I mentioned. “