双语新闻：英国女王签署《英联邦宪章》

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　　British Queen signs Commonwealth Charter
        　　British Queen Elizabeth II, also the head of state of other 15 Commonwealth realms, signed the Commonwealth Charter in central London on Monday.
        　　The Queen said the Charter "represents a significant milestone as the Commonwealth continues its journey of development and renewal" at the Commonwealth Reception on Monday evening before putting down her signature.
        　　The Commonwealth Charter was consisted of statements on 16 aspects: Democracy, Human rights, International peace and security, Tolerance, respect and understanding, Freedom of expression, Separation of powers, Rule of law, Good governance, Sustainable development, Protecting the environment, Access to health, education, food and shelter, Gender equality, Importance of young people in the commonwealth, Recognition of the needs of small states, Recognition of the needs of vulnerable states, The role of civil society.
        　　The six-page Charter, agreed by all 54 Commonwealth Heads of Government in December last year, was seen by the British government as an important outcome of the modernization process and a milestone for the Commonwealth.
        　　"For the first time in its 64 year history, the Commonwealth has a single document setting out the core values of the organization and the aspiration of its members," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a written statement to Parliament on the Commonwealth Charter.
        　　"A strong Commonwealth will help us promote UK objectives of democracy and human rights, good governance and, in turn, the future prosperity of all its members," Hague said.
        　　"Strong, clear values are crucial to the future credibility and success of the Commonwealth," he added.
        　　Over the past two years, Britain has played a leading role in efforts to strengthen and reform the Commonwealth to ensure it remains relevant, fulfils its potential and is effective in the future.
        　　
       
               

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                　　相关新闻：英国女王伊丽莎白二世11日晚签署《英联邦宪章》，该宪章是英联邦首份阐述其核心价值观的文件。
       
       
                　　伊丽莎白二世在签字前表示，《英联邦宪章》是“英联邦发展与革新历程中一个重要里程碑”。
       
       
                　　英国外交大臣威廉•黑格当天说，英国政府过去两年来积极推动加强和改革英联邦，从而维护其影响力和有效性，并挖掘未来发展潜力，这一文件是英联邦现代化过程的重要成果，其鲜明的价值观对未来发展至关重要。
       
       
                　　据悉，《英联邦宪章》总结并阐释了54个英联邦成员在民主、人权、法治、国际和平与安全、可持续发展等16个方面的核心价值观和共同原则，意在维护英联邦成员间的紧密联系，维持英国在其中的影响力。去年12月，该宪章由54个英联邦国家政府首脑签字通过，但不具法律效力。
       
       
                　　英联邦现有54个成员，英国女王伊丽莎白二世为名义元首。英联邦没有中央政府，不设权力机构，英国和各成员国互派高级专员，代表大使级外交关系。(Xinhua News)