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My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the state visit of His Excellency the President of Russia in June. We are pleased to receive the state visit of His Excellency the President of the United States this week.
My Government has played an active role in combating the global threat from terrorism and preventing the development or use of weapons of mass destruction by hostile states. My Government has worked to help publish and implement a Road Map for peace in the Middle East, and to support the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
My Government took part in international action to ensure Iraq's compliance with its obligations under UN resolutions. Iraq is now on its way to a better future, free and at peace with its neighbours. Political and economic reconstruction are proceeding apace and for the first time in Iraq's history it has government institutions which reflect the diversity of its people and uphold human rights and the rule of law.
My Government helped secure the lifting of UN sanctions against Libya following the latter's compliance with the demands of the Security Council, and has supported international negotiations with Iran and North Korea,
My Government was active in ensuring the decision of the European Council last December to issue formal invitations to ten countries to join the European Union in May 2004. Legislation has been enacted to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Accession Treaty with the new member states.
Through the Convention on the Future of Europe and the subsequent Inter-Governmental Conference, my Government has participated actively in efforts to agree a new Constitutional Treaty for the European Union to equip it for the challenges of enlargement.
My Government published its assessment of the Five Economic Tests on whether to recommend entry into the single European currency.
My Government helped achieve agreement at the NATO Summit last November to invite seven countries to join the Alliance, and has continued to support these countries in their preparations for membership.
My Government was heavily involved in the continuing development of the European Security and Defence Policy, including the conclusion of agreements between the EU and NATO for the use of NATO assets and capabilities for European Security and Defence Policy military operations. My Government supported, and British personnel participated in, the first three European Security and Defence Policy operations: a police mission in Bosnia and military crisis management operations in Macedonia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Millennium Development Goals remained at the forefront of my Government's commitment to global poverty reduction. My Government has worked with partners in the UN, the G8 and other bodies to make progress towards these goals, particularly by ensuring support for developing countries' own plans such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
A Commission was also read for proroguing this present Parliament, and the Lord Chancellor said:
- "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of this instant November."
28 October 2003: in column 218, Division No. 340, in the Ayes, leave out Naysmith, Dr. Doug (Bristol, North-West).
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