That’s how Foreign Minister Julie Bishop described this week’s Australia UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) meeting in London, between Foreign and Defence Ministers from the two countries. William Hague responded by describing a “unique relationship that makes Australia one of our most important partners.”
Ms Bishop opened the London Stock Exchange on Monday morning, then together with Defence Minister David Johnston we flew down to GCHQ Cheltenham. There were great views of the Thames Valley and Cotswolds from the helicopter, and we were able to see vestigial traces of the recent flooding.
Yesterday the four ministers took part in the formal AUKMIN meeting, discussing issues like Ukraine, Syria, Asia Pacific, and Defence engagement and interoperability. There was a very broad measure of agreement on the analysis and on how we can work even more closely together. Mr Hague and Ms Bishop signed an agreement on Diplomatic network cooperation which will enable us to work together to achieve greater efficiencies, for example by sharing embassy facilities in Baghdad. They also launched a new think tank dialogue on Asia led by Ditchley Park and the Lowy Institute.
The Australian ministers also took part in a meeting of our National Security Council and met Prime Minister Cameron at 10 Downing Street. The PM said he was looking forward to visiting Australian in November for G20. Senator Johnston is now heading to Scotland and the North West to look at ship and submarine construction. Foreign Minister Bishop will be delivering a major speech at Chatham House, meeting DFID Minister Justine Greening to launch a new Development Partnership and meeting business leaders and others.
This was the fourth AUKMIN I’ve attended. The annual event is going from strength to strength. The very warm personal relationship between the ministers reflects the close ties between Britain and Australia.
Watch the High Commissioner’s video blog from AUKMIN.
