Brussels, 17/08/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 7 August, European politicians regretted the sudden death during a walking tour of former British foreign secretary and former President of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Robin Cook. At the European Parliament, President Borrell paid tribute to a principled man who always focussed on ethics and values in his approach to foreign affairs, and who worked hard for democracy in central and Eastern Europe and peace in the Balkans, and successfully introduced a European code of conduct for arms exports. Martin Schulz, President of the Socialist group, recalled the former Labour minister's work to strengthen ties between the EU and the United States and create genuine dialogue between the EU and the Muslim world. At the Council of the EU, the EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, praised the work of his former colleague, who had been a very popular and influential member of the Council, before becoming the leader of the PES. At the Commission, Benita Ferrero Waldner also regretted the loss of a colleague who had always made an intelligent and enlightened contribution to the EU's foreign policy.