Media Release
FA141 - 2 October 2002
Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Sweden
Today I announce the appointment of Richard Rowe as Australia's Ambassador
to Sweden with concurrent accreditation to Estonia, Finland, Latvia
and Lithuania.
Mr Rowe will replace Stephen Brady, who has been Ambassador since
December 1998. He is expected to take up his appointment in January
2003.
Australia enjoys warm and friendly relations with Sweden. Our two
countries have long-standing trade and investment links and a history
of like-minded cooperation on a wide range of international issues.
These include disarmament and arms control, human rights and support
for the multilateral trading system. Australia and Sweden are both
strong supporters of the United Nations system and have collaborated
in that forum across many issues of mutual interest. The bilateral
trade and investment relationship is important to both countries,
with Swedish companies providing many jobs in Australia through their
investments. Sweden is Australia's 25th largest trading
partner. In 2001-02, Australia's two-way merchandise trade with Sweden
was valued at $1.8 billion.
Australia similarly enjoys warm and friendly relations with Finland,
a country which Australia also regards as like-minded across a broad
range of international issues. Australia works closely with Finland
in many areas of mutual interest, including disarmament and arms control,
the environment, and in many United Nations bodies. Finnish migrants,
like their Swedish counterparts, have contributed significantly to
Australia's social, economic and cultural development, especially
over the past 50 years. Australia's trade with Finland is significant,
with two-way merchandise trade in 2001-02 valued at one billion dollars.
Australia's relations with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have developed
rapidly and constructively over the past decade. While bilateral trade
and investment remain small, they can be expected to develop as these
countries move towards membership of the European Union in the near
future. As with Sweden and Finland, migrants from Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania have contributed significantly to Australia's development.
The local communities in Australia of all five countries are highly
valued and respected, and constitute a vital and productive element
in Australia's relations with each.
Mr Rowe is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade and is currently the Department's Senior Legal Adviser.
He has served as Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative, Australian
Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York (1992-97); Consul-General
in New Caledonia (1990-92); Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Australian
Delegation to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva (1983-87); First
Secretary in London (1977-80); First Secretary in Hanoi (1975-77);
and Third and Second Secretary, Australian Permanent Mission to the
United Nations, New York (1970-73).
Mr Rowe has been an Australian representative at numerous international
conferences including, since 1998, as Head of the Australian Delegation
to the International Criminal Court negotiations.
Educated at the Hutchins School and the University of Tasmania, Mr
Rowe holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and is admitted as a Barrister
and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. He is married with
two children.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Julie
McDonald (Departmental) +61 02 6261 1555
Local Date: Thursday, 20-Jun-2013 17:59:07 EST
