Former prime minister John Howard has thanked his foreign minister of more than 11 years, Alexander Downer, for his "friendship and counsel".
Mr Downer, Australia's longest serving foreign minister, yesterday confirmed he would quit politics on July 14, forcing a by-election in his South Australian seat of Mayo.
The 56-year-old will form a business consultancy company with former Labor senator Nick Bolkus and Ian Smith, the husband of former Democrats senator Natasha Stott-Despoja.
He has also accepted a part-time position at Adelaide University's School of History and says he will also become the United Nations' special envoy for Cyprus, if the position if formally offered.
Mr Howard today issued a statement, saying Australia has had no better foreign minister than Mr Downer.
"Not only did he serve longer than any other in that post but he was required to confront an unprecedented range and intensity of challenges," Mr Howard said.
"Alexander understood the philosophical dimension of issues.
"He knew that, in the end, politics was about values and conviction not process and public relations."
Mr Howard said Mr Downer had been a safe pair of hands and had performed his job with great skill and reliability.
"On a more personal level, I thank Alexander Downer for his friendship and counsel in the almost 12 years that we served together in the former government.
"It was a rewarding experience for us both."
Mr Howard wished Mr Downer well for his future career.
