MINISTER FOR DEFENCE TO VISIT SINGAPORE FOR SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE 2009

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, will visit Singapore from 29-31 May to attend the eighth International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri‑La Dialogue 2009 – the foremost gathering of Defence leaders in the Asia-Pacific. He will be accompanied by the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

The Prime Minister will give the keynote address and the Defence Minister will then address the sixth plenary session on the topic of “Strengthening Defence Diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific”.

“The Shangri-La Dialogue offers me an invaluable opportunity each year to meet with a number of my overseas counterparts and discuss regional issues,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“The Dialogue will also provide a valuable opportunity to discuss and build on a number of themes from the recently released Defence White Paper.” 

Nations participating in the Dialogue include: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, UK, the US and many others.

Immediately following the Dialogue, Mr Fitzgibbon will travel to Malaysia to attend a separate Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers’ Meeting.  

Media contacts:

Clare Enyi (Joel Fitzgibbon):                              02 6277 7800 or 0404 893 565

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664