Britain at the heart of Europe, and Human Rights at the heart of Foreign Policy

In focussing Britain's relationship with the rest of Europe, there was no reference to the 'special relationship' with the United States, but Mr Cook denied suggestions that the US was being ignored in favour of Europe.

Speaking from Paris on the BBC's Newsnight Mr Cook asserted that Britain has a good relationship with the US and referred to the upcoming visit by President Clinton. By becoming more influential in Europe, the Foreign Secretary said, Britain would be more valuable to the US.

"There is a very strong personal chemistry between Mr Clinton and Mr Blair," he said, "I think it's a false dichotomy to say you have to choose between the United States and Europe. The truth is that Washington does not want a Britain that is marginalised and off-shore from Europe. If we can establish ourselves as a leading player in europe, then Washington will turn to London with greater respect because we have more influence."

The Foreign Secretary's mission statement outlines policies designed to establish Britain as a leading member of the international community - with Europe, trade, human rights, and arms control forming the central core of his proposals. He also plans to bring outside advice into the Foreign Office from policy experts, commentators and academics.

Speaking on the BBC earlier, Mr Cook said foreign policy would be ethical. He said the Government would be tough on arms trading with countries which had a dubious human rights record. "Britain is a very large arms producer, .. but we must make sure the arms trade is responsible, and that there is responsible regulation of it. We're going to press for a European code of conduct to make sure if we say 'no, this export is wrong', then no other european company can take up the contract."

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"We're going to put Human Rights at the heart of our Foreign Policy," he said, "It is also a question of making sure we do support those movements which are demanding human rights for themselves - the kind that we take for granted in Britain."

Mr Cook has outlined his main priorities as making Britain one of the leading three players in Europe alongside France and Germany, putting human rights and the global environment at the centre of British and European policies, and producing tough new guidelines on arms exports.

"Under the last government, Britain was effectively reduced to sitting on the sidelines..France and Germany would decide what should be on the agenda and we would turn up and oppose it. I want to be involved in shaping the agenda," he said.

Mr Cook has emphasised that Labour is committed to working in Britain's national interest at Amsterdam. Central to the Foriegn Secretary's agenda are plans to retain Britain's external border controls and end the problem of quota hopping, where foreign owned fishing vessels buy up British fishing licences.

"There is a very strong personal chemistry between Mr Clinton and Mr Blair," he said, "I think it's a false dichotomy to say you have to choose between the United States and Europe. The truth is that Washington does not want a Britain that is marginalised and off-shore from Europe. If we can establish ourselves as a leading player in europe, then Washington will turn to London with greater respect because we have more influence."