Australia and France signed two cooperation agreements in Canberra on Monday, putting behind their row over the war in Iraq.  

A Working Holiday Maker accord encourages exchange of young people between the two countries to work on holidays. France is the 17th country to sign such a deal with Australia so far.

It "creates exciting opportunities for young Australians and young French people to experience each other's culture," said Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in a press release.

A second maritime agreement involves a formal framework for cooperative surveillance and research in seas around Australia to fight against illegal fishing.

Under the treaty, France and Australia have agreed to exchange information on the location, movements and licensing of fishing vessels.

The agreements were signed by Downer and visiting French Deputy Foreign Minister Renaud Muselier, who is the first French foreign minister to visit Australia in two decades.

The pacts were signed despite a bilateral row over the Iraq War. France strongly opposes the war, while Australia, which is a member of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq, accuses Paris of being opportunistic.

The two foreign ministers agreed that the two countries should look into the future, stressing on common values and friendship.

"Australia and France, whatever differences we may have had over the question of Iraq, are two countries that stand for the same values," Downer said, adding the working holiday pact "underlines the close relationship between the two countries."

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2003)