Minister In EU: Security Talks And London Party …

• February 25th, 2010
• Posted by EUEditor

The Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, has completed a four-day visit to Europe (14-19.2.10) putting emphasis on multi-national agencies and security agreements.

The visit  — to Austria, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom – ended with the celebrations at Australia House in London to commemorate 100 years of Australia – British diplomatic links.

Speeches by the Minister referred to progress in building formal ties, with the renewal of the Australia – EU Partnership Framework; Australia’s recently acquired membership of  ASEM, the Asia Europe Meeting; and also of  the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as an “Asian dialogue partner”.

“Of course we work closely on NATO and International Security Assistance Force matters in Afghanistan”, he said.

Earlier (12.2.10) he had announced the appointment of a veteran diplomat, Peter Woolcott, as Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, and  Ambassador for Disarmament; replacing the outgoing ambassador Caroline Millar.

He said Australia was closely engaged with human rights acrivity and humanitarian operations based at Geneva.

Reference

S. Smith; “Diplomatic appointment …”, Media release, Camberra, 12.2.10; “Viosit to Spain, Australia and Slovenia, and commemorating 100 years of diplomacy with the UK:”, Media Release, Canberra, 14.2.10.

OSCE, Vienna, Home, 25.2.10. http://www.osce.org/contacts/, 254W, (25.2.10).

Picture  en.academic.ru

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