Media release
21 November 2009
Appointment of EU high Representative for Foreign and Security Policy
I congratulate Baroness Catherine Ashton on her appointment as the European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.
Australia has worked closely with Baroness Ashton in her previous position as European Commissioner for Trade, notably in relation to the Doha Round negotiations.
Her appointment, together with that of the Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy as the new President of the European Council, was made at an EU summit in Brussels yesterday. Australia welcomes both of these appointments.
The High Representative and the President of the European Council are new positions created by the Lisbon Treaty - ratified by all EU member states earlier this month - which reforms the European institutions. The creation of the new positions will strengthen the EU's voice in international relations.
There is much the European Union and Australia can do together. We are like-minded on many of the pressing international challenges of our time.
The Government continues to be strongly committed to enhancing further Australia’s relations with Europe and the European Union.
I launched the Australia-EU Partnership Framework with French Foreign Minister Kouchner last year during the French Presidency of the EU.
I held a further round of consultations with my counterpart, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in Stockholm in October under the Swedish Presidency.
The Australia-EU Partnership Framework provides for practical cooperation across the range of areas and underpins our invigorated relationship.
I look forward to working with Baroness Ashton to strengthen and deepen that cooperation.
Media contacts
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