Media release
22 September 2009
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Cape Verde
Today at the United Nations in New York I signed a joint communiqué with my Cape Verde counterpart, H.E. Mr Jose Brito, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of Cape Verde, establishing diplomatic relations between our two countries.
The establishment of diplomatic relations will lay the foundation for closer cooperation between Australia and Cape Verde on trade and investment, development assistance and dialogue on global issues of common interest, including climate change.
Australia and Cape Verde have increased contact since I first met Mr Brito at the United Nations General Assembly in 2008.
Australia will accredit our Ambassador in Lisbon, Portugal, as non-resident Ambassador to Cape Verde.
When I attended the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the African Union in Addis Ababa in January this year, I conveyed Australia’s commitment to broadening and deepening our engagement with the nations and peoples of Africa.
Establishing diplomatic relations with a number of African countries is an important part of that process.
Over the last year, Australia has established diplomatic relations with Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Niger, the Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, and Togo. Following the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cape Verde, Australia now has diplomatic relations with 49 of the 53 countries in Africa.
Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555