12 June 2009
Visit to Australia by Kenyan Minister for Foreign Affairs
Kenya's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Moses Wetang'ula, is visiting Australia from Thursday 11 to Tuesday 16 June.
I will meet with Mr Wetang'ula in Perth today Friday 12 June. Mr Wetang'ula will also visit Melbourne and Canberra.
I previously met with Mr Wetang'ula in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January this year.
Mr Wetang'ula's visit is a significant moment in Australia's relationship with Kenya. While Mr Wetang'ula has visited Australia before, it is his first official visit as Foreign Minister.
It is the first official bilateral visit to Australia by a Kenyan Foreign Minister.
Kenya has traditionally been one of Australia's closest friends in Africa. Our warm bilateral relations are founded on shared Commonwealth membership and interests, cooperation in the United Nations and significant commercial ties and people-to-people links.
Mr Wetang'ula's visit provides an opportunity for Kenya and Australia to explore further bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the minerals and petroleum resources industries.
Mr Wetang'ula will be joined in Perth by Kenya's Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr John Michuki. Mr Wetang'ula and Mr Michuki will meet with industry and government to help build commercial links between our two countries.
Regional peace and security issues, including Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe, will be important items for discussion. Kenya is making a strong contribution to African efforts to resolve the crises in Somalia and Sudan.
Kenya is also playing a strong role in international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa, including trying pirates detained by international forces in the Gulf of Aden.
Australia is also contributing to these international efforts, providing a frigate and AP-3C maritime patrol aircraft currently based in the Middle East.
Australia will provide $500,000, as well as skills and expertise, to the Joint European Commission/United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) Counter Piracy Program to assist Kenyan authorities in receiving and processing apprehended piracy suspects.
Kenya is a significant partner for Australia's aid program in Africa, particularly in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa.
As part of Australia's growing scholarships program, Kenya will receive fourteen post-graduate scholarships next year.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that Kenya is currently home to around 350,000 refugees, most driven from neighbouring countries such as Somalia and Sudan by instability and humanitarian crises.
Australia will provide $4 million to help Kenya respond to this influx of refugees. This will include food assistance and support for refugee programs delivered through the United Nations.
Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555