§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's role in sponsoring the EU-Australia declaration on closer ties; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the declaration on Britain's Commonwealth links with Australia. [9645]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe have always advocated closer EU-Australia relations. This Department together with other Whitehall Departments has worked hard to ensure a good EU-Australia joint declaration. We therefore warmly welcome the signature of the joint declaration as a foundation for strengthened EU-Australia co-operation into the next century. The joint declaration is unlikely to have any direct effect on our Commonwealth links with Australia, but as the prime proponent of the declaration the UK has reinforced its role as Australia's partner of choice in the EU, building on an already excellent bilateral relationship.