Joint Declaration

Preamble

We, the European Community and its Member States, on the one part, and Australia on the other, having regard to:

• our close historical, political, economic and cultural ties;
• our shared commitments to the respect and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law which underpin our internal and international policies;
• the achievements already accomplished in the consolidation and development of our long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship;
• the need for heightened international cooperation in an increasingly interdependent world;
• our common interest in international peace, security and stability, and in sustainable development;
• our common commitment to free and open market principles and the strengthening of the multilateral trading system in accordance with the aims and principles of the WTO, and the development of a healthy and prosperous world economy;
• the progress and accomplishments of the European Union and the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific region and Australia's position as a major country in that region, have further decided to strengthen our relations and to cooperate across the many areas in which we have shared interests, to the mutual benefit of our peoples, and to endow our mutual relations with a long-term perspective.

26 June 1997