Foreign Minister to visit United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Bahrain

Media release

Canberra

29 November 2010

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd departs today on a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Bahrain.

In the UAE, Mr Rudd will hold discussions with counterparts on further broadening and deepening the close political, economic and security relationship between Australia and the UAE. Mr Rudd will also be participating in the Afghanistan International Investment Conference. The UAE is an important base for Australia's headquarters and logistical support for Australia's operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East area of operations.

Mr Rudd will also reaffirm his commitment to the inaugural Australia-Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, to be held next year.

Mr Rudd will then travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Summit of the Organisation for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

"The OSCE's work in support of Afghanistan and in counter-terrorism is important to Australia's security interests. Australia became a Partner to the OSCE in December 2009, and this visit will be the first time an Australian Minister has participated in an OSCE meeting," Mr Rudd said.

In Bahrain, Mr Rudd will participate in the 7th Regional Security Summit, known as the Manama Dialogue, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"Asia and the Gulf region are becoming deeply interdependent. As Asia continues to grow, its demand for oil and gas is likely to do the same. This makes meeting the Gulf's security challenges vital for both regions. The Manama Dialogue is the premier security forum for the Gulf region and a unique opportunity to share lessons from the Asian region, and its evolving regional architecture," Mr Rudd said.

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