Cook to visit Paris and Bonn
The new Labour government is emphasising its desire for a "constructive" relationship with Europe during a visit by the Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, to Paris and Bonn.
Mr Cook, on his first foreign trip since assuming his post, is accompanied by the new European Affairs Minister, Doug Henderson. Mr Henderson visited Brussels on Monday and pledged a "fresh start" during talks with his EU colleagues.
Yves Doutriaux, the French Foreign Ministry's spokesman, said: "We have noted statements by Mr Cook indicating that Britain wants to promote a constructive engagement in the European Union. We are happy to welcome him to Paris in that spirit."
Mr Cook is scheduled to have lunch with his French counterpart, Herve de Charette. The main topics for discussion will include the coming EU summit in Amsterdam, Britain's six-month Presidency of the EU next year and reform of both NATO and the Western European Union. The WEU gathers ten western European states into a defence alliance.
From Paris, Mr Cook will travel to Bonn, where he will hold talks with the German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel.
In addition, Mr Cook will offer moral support to the socialist parties in France and Germany. Before his talks with Mr de Charette, he will meet the French Socialist Party leader, Lionel Jospin. The French left has been greatly encouraged by Labour's victory as it prepares for parliamentary elections on 25 May and 1 June. However, the French right has retorted that Labour won the election by junking socialist ideas and adopting the principles of the free market.
In Bonn, Mr Cook will meet the leader of the German Social Democrats (SPD), Oskar Lafontaine. The SPD, which has spent the last sixteen years in opposition, is looking to the Labour Party for inspiration as it organises for a general election next year.
Revamping the Foreign Office
Mr Cook is keen to play up the changes in foreign policy which the new government will introduce. Next week, he will announce major changes to the Diplomatic Service. A "mission statement" will outline the priorities for the Foreign Office. And the renowned film director, Sir David Puttnam, is to make a film about Mr Cook's views on future foreign policy and the role of the Diplomatic Service.
Mr Cook has said he wants more women and ethnic minorities recruited to senior posts. He would like to raise public awareness of foreign policy and its impact on domestic issues, such as jobs and investment. Other priorities include tighter restrictions on arms exports and making human rights a central concern in policy making.
Mr Cook has also announced that Britain is ready to host an international conference on the issue of looted Nazi gold. He said there was a strong case "for looking imaginatively for ways of compensating the victims of Nazi persecution or their direct descendants". Mr Cook's decision is the result of a pre-election pledge to the former Labour MP, Greville Janner, who is a prominent figure in Britain's Jewish community.
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