Today I announce the appointment of Mr Neil Hawkins as Australia's Ambassador to
Egypt with concurrent accreditation to Sudan and Eritrea.
Australia values its long-standing relationship with Egypt, built on shared
interests and strong people-to-people links. Formal diplomatic relations were
established in 1950 when Australia opened its first Embassy in Cairo.
Australia engages with Egypt on shared regional and international priorities,
including counter-terrorism and disarmament. As part of our commitment to
assisting peace efforts across the region, we provide Australian Defence Force
personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) to supervise the
implementation of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in the Sinai.
Egypt is an
important market for Australian agricultural and other exports, with significant
potential for further growth.
Mr Hawkins is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade and most recently served as Australia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
In Canberra he headed the Department's Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe
Branch and the Middle East Branch. Mr Hawkins was a Senior Analyst with the
Office of National Assessments, and was previously an AusAID Director working on
Papua New Guinea and humanitarian and emergency responses. Mr Hawkins has also
worked for CARE Australia, the United Nations and the Norwegian Institute for
International Research in South East Asia and the Middle East.
Mr Hawkins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) in Arabic and Islamic
Studies and a Master of International Business. He was awarded a Humanitarian
Overseas medal in 2004 and speaks Arabic.
Mr Hawkins is expected to take up his appointment during March 2015. I thank
outgoing Ambassador Ralph King for his work in strengthening Australia's
relations with Egypt since 2012 including his substantial contribution to the
Government's efforts to secure the release of Peter Greste.
Media release: Ambassador to Egypt