MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
I will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday 23 March.
This will be my second visit to the UAE and reflects our growing bilateral relationship and the priority Australia attaches to realising the untapped potential in our relations with Gulf countries.
I first visited the UAE in June 2008.
In Abu Dhabi, I will meet with UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash.
We will discuss our individual and collective responses to the international financial crisis.
We will also exchange perspectives on regional and global issues and discuss the formalisation of a Ministerial-level dialogue between Australia and Gulf countries.
I will reinforce Australia's strong desire for the early conclusion of a comprehensive Australia - GCC Free Trade Agreement.
Given the strong and growing people to people links, and important business and investment links, we will also discuss bilateral consular matters.
There are more than 600 Australian companies and 15,000-20,000 Australians living and working in the UAE.
The UAE is Australia's largest trade partner in the Gulf, with merchandise trade valued at $5.6 billion in 2007-08. The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) represent a major export market for Australia with total merchandise trade worth $12.3 billion in 2007-08.
While in the UAE, I will address the inaugural Lowy Institute Australia - UAE Dialogue.
The Dialogue will bring together eminent Australians and Emiratis from all sectors to generate fresh ideas for bilateral cooperation, forge new personal connections between our two countries and discuss common challenges.
I will also take the opportunity to meet with International Cricket Council (ICC) officials ahead of the Australian cricket team's travel to the UAE in April-May 2009.
Media Contacts:
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555