Van Raaij admits United have made a formal declaration of their interest in the 19-year-old winger to the Dutch club.

BBC: Man Utd accused over Robben

Sudan has made no formal declaration of war, but analysts say Mr Kiir is clearly escalating the war of words.

BBC: South Sudan's Salva Kiir says Sudan has declared war

The problem here was that it was not clear that had he asked for a formal declaration of war he would have gotten one.

FORBES: What Happened To The American Declaration Of War?

But the term sanctuary doesn't apply in those cities where there's been no formal declaration but police, on their own initiative, simply refuse to act as surrogate immigration officers.

CNN: Commentary: Don't confuse immigrant victims with villains

President Barack Obama's formal declaration of his re-election bid Monday actually serves as a reminder that the 2012 campaign is off to such a slow start that it has shattered one piece of conventional wisdom: the notion that each presidential sweepstakes starts earlier than the last one.

WSJ: Why Is the 2012 Race Off to Such a Slow Start?

The new archbishop took the oath of allegiance to the Queen during the ceremony, and made a formal written declaration of assent to his election as Archbishop of Canterbury.

BBC: Justin Welby becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

But do not expect a definite outcome from all these formal talks, such as a declaration or a signed resolution.

BBC: Davos 2013: 'Dynamic resilience' in a volatile world

Given our English tradition and the fermentive gestation period preceding the formal break with Great Britain, the Declaration itself was not seen as particularly important at the time of its creation.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

In Ecuador, Correa said at the time that his country had not made a formal invitation to Assange and that the ministry declaration, made by Deputy Foreign Minister Kintto Lucas, was "spontaneous" and personal in nature.

CNN: Assange to be arrested if he leaves embassy, police say