H.E. David Daly

Recent Speaker

Head of Delegation, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation

March 24, 2010

"Europe's Man in Canberra - One year on"

His Excellency David Daly reflects on his first year as Head of Delegation and Ambassador of the European Delegation in his first address to the National Press Club. 

"This past year has been tumultuous for the whole world with the Global Financial Crisis, the role of the G20, Climate Change, Afghanistan etc. These challenges have been critical for the EU just as for Australia.

This past year has seen a great advance in terms of European integration with the new Lisbon Treaty which streamlines things and brings Europe closer to its citizens. Also, we celebrated the 5th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement, the 10th anniversary of the EU's security and defence arm and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

This past year has demonstrated very positive concrete results from the first year's implementation of the new EU-Australia Partnership Framework, including anti-terrorism cooperation, practical and political cooperation in the Pacific region, a tough but constructive cooperation on trade issues, including on agriculture.

These are the issues which have kept me busy during my first year as the European Union Head of Delegation in Canberra - I'm happy to explain why."