U.S. – Australia Relations
Travel to the United States and Japan (24 January - 2 February 2008)
Canberra — 23 January 2008
Media release
23 January 2008
I [The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs] will travel to the United States and Japan from 24 January to 2 February 2008 to take forward three key elements of the Australian Government’s foreign policy - our Alliance with the United States, our membership of the United Nations, and engagement with the Asia-Pacific.
During my visit to the United States, I will meet with senior members of the US Administration. I will discuss a range of global and regional security challenges which Australia shares with the United States. I will also attend the State of the Union Address by President George Bush.
This early high level engagement underscores the Government’s commitment to the US Alliance, which was founded under a Labor Government over 60 years ago.
I will also meet key figures at the United Nations during my visit to New York. This provides an important opportunity to underline Australia’s priorities in the UN, including the UN presence in East Timor, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UN involvement in Burma, climate change, peacekeeping and disarmament.
While in New York, I will also attend several Australia-Week 2008: G’Day USA events to promote Australia as a sophisticated trade and investment partner, particularly in the financial services sector.
Following my visit to the United States, I will travel to Japan for meetings with senior Japanese Government Ministers, politicians and foreign policy commentators. My visit, only one week after Mr Crean’s visit to Tokyo, demonstrates the priority Australia gives to the bilateral relationship.
During the visit, I will discuss Australia’s commitment to enhancing economic links with Japan, including through achieving a high-quality Free Trade Agreement, as well as expanding strategic cooperation under the 2007 Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.
Original document from www.foreignminister.gov.au.
Last update Friday, 25 January 2008
