Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Defence Minister Stephen Smith will hold Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and USSecretary of Defense Dr Robert Gates in Australia in November.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the first AUSMIN talks, held in Canberra in 1985.
AUSMIN is the premier forum for strengthening alliance cooperation on foreign policy, defence and strategic matters.
It is scheduled annually, with the venue alternating between Australia and the United States . The last AUSMIN was held in Washington on 9 April 2009.
AUSMIN 2010 follows Mr Rudd’s meetings in Washington this week with Secretary Clinton and other senior members of the Obama Administration.
AUSMIN 2010, the third AUSMIN meeting since November 2007 and the second with the Obama Administration, reflects the enduring strategic importance of the Alliance.
Australia ’s Alliance with the United States continues to be the bedrock of Australia ’s defence, security, and strategic arrangements.
Australia works in close partnership with the United States to advance shared security interests in the region and globally.
Both countries are committed to military and civilian efforts in Afghanistan to prevent it from again becoming a base for international terrorism, and are working closely in the Asia-Pacific region to promote peace and prosperity.
Mr Rudd and Mr Smith’s discussions with Secretary Clinton and Secretary Gates in Canberra will further advance the close cooperation under the Australia-US Alliance.
Mr Smith’s Office: Mary Bagnall (02) 6277 7800 or 0434 665067
Mr Rudd’s Office: Kate Sieper (02) 6277 7500 or 0488 484689
Department: (02) 6127 1999 (Defence) or (02) 6261 1555 (DFAT)
