Brussels, 04/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, in Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn on behalf of the Luxembourg Presidency and Benita Ferrero-Waldner representing the European Commission met Alexander Downer, Australian Foreign Minister.
The Luxembourg Presidency stresses in a press release that the geographic distance between the EU and Australia has not prevented a “fruitful” exchange of views on the problems and challenges facing the two partners. Discussions covered international issues (elections in Iraq, the fight against terrorism, the tsunami in the Indian Ocean) and developments in the European Union (rekindling of Lisbon strategy, accession by Bulgaria and Romania, opening talks with Croatia and Turkey).
Jean Asselborn considers it “important” to keep his Australian counterpart briefed on the EU's efforts to convince Teheran to give up its nuclear enrichment programme and considered as “useful” George W. Bush's announced intention to cooperate with Germany, France and the United Kingdom to put joint pressure on Iran to prevent it developing a “nuclear force”.