6 May 2009
Visit to Australia by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr Karel De Gucht, is visiting Australia between 3 and 8 May.
I will meet with Mr De Gucht in Perth today, Wednesday 6 May.
This is Mr De Gucht's first visit to Australia. His visit reflects the significant people-to-people links between our countries. There is a vibrant Belgian community in Australia.
Our discussions will build on the warm relationship that exists between Australia and Belgium, underpinned by our shared commitment to democratic values, extending back to the First World War.
One of Mr De Gucht's objectives in visiting Australia is to examine further opportunities for business and commercial cooperation. In this respect, Mr De Gucht's visit to Australia includes meetings in Melbourne, Sydney and Port Hedland.
Our economic linkages are an important element of our relationship. Belgium was Australia's 12th largest source of total foreign investment in 2007 (A$11.8 billion), with two-way trade amounting to A$3.4 billion in 2008.
Our discussion will also cover the full range of international issues, including the global economic crisis and challenges to international security. We will exchange views on our commitments in Afghanistan, where Belgium is a respected International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partner.
We will also discuss Australia's enhanced relationship with the European Union (EU) through the implementation of the Australia-EU Partnership Framework, launched in Paris in October 2008.
I met formally with Mr De Gucht when I visited Brussels in early December last year. We have also previously met at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year and at the International Conference on Afghanistan at The Hague in March this year.
Belgium is an important member of the EU, in addition to being the seat of NATO, the European Commission and many EU institutions.
I announce today, on behalf of the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, that Australia and Belgium have recently ratified a bilateral Agreement on Health Care Insurance.
Once it enters into force, the Agreement will ensure that Australians who visit Belgium are covered for subsidised treatment in the Belgian public health system and the same coverage applies to Belgians visiting Australia.
Media inquiries:
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555