Cooperation with France in the Pacific

Today at Parliament House, Canberra, the French Minister for Overseas France,
Mr Francois Baroin, and I signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation on Maritime Surveillance and Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the Pacific Islands Region.

The Joint Declaration is part of a trilateral initiative which also involves New Zealand. It formalises the cooperative efforts already underway by Australia, France and

New Zealand to help protect the sustainability of the Pacific's valuable fisheries resources. Initiatives in this area include supporting and enhancing the capacities of Pacific island countries.

Mr Baroin is expected to visit New Zealand in the near future to conclude the signing of the Joint Declaration.

The Joint Declaration builds on the cooperative work undertaken by Australia and France to combat illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean under the bilateral Maritime Cooperation Treaty which was signed in November 2003.

I also welcome progress towards the finalisation of an additional treaty which will further strengthen the bilateral fisheries enforcement capabilities of Australia and France. I look forward to its signing in the near future.

This signing takes place during Mr Baroin's visit to Australia from 2 to 3 March.

Mr Baroin's visit provides a valuable opportunity to share perspectives on recent developments in the Pacific and to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation and coordination among key partners in development assistance to the region.

Media Inquiries: Mr Downer's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555