Media release
21 July, 2009
Visit to Thailand for ASEAN Related and Asia-Pacific Regional Meetings
To advance Australia's engagement with the Asia-Pacific, I will visit Thailand Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 July to attend the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN-Australia Post Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Consultations.
I will also take part in the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue between Australia, Japan and the United States.
The ASEAN Regional Forum is the region's principal multilateral security forum. This year's ARF will address regional security issues of mutual concern.
In the wake of last Friday's terrible events in Jakarta, the ARF will be a timely opportunity to reinforce the region's strong record of cooperation on counter-terrorism.
Since its creation in 1967, ASEAN has promoted regional peace and stability and economic development and prosperity. Australia has been an active and reliable partner of ASEAN for over 30 years. Australia became ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner in 1974.
At the ASEAN-Australia Post Ministerial Conference, my ASEAN Foreign Ministerial colleagues and I will review cooperation between Australia and ASEAN on security, development cooperation, and political and economic matters, including implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
At this meeting, I will also sign into force the ASEAN-Australia Development Co-operation Program (AADCP). This is a major program that will promote ASEAN's further economic integration and growth through support to member governments and the ASEAN Secretariat.
The East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Consultations will be an opportunity to take forward regional cooperation on common interests including economic integration, financial stability, energy and security.
The Trilateral Strategic Dialogue will be the fourth such Trilateral Ministerial meeting, on this occasion with Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Nakasone.
It will be an opportunity for three close partners to consider common interests and practical ways to strengthen cooperation. The last Ministerial meeting was held in Japan in June last year.
I also look forward to holding bilateral meetings with my counterparts from around the region.
Media inquiries:
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555