AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER’S OVERSEAS TRAVEL

EXTENDED TO MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA

The Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia following the East Asian Summit in Vietnam at the end of this month.

From 31 October to 1 November the Australian Prime Minister will make an official visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to hold meetings with Prime Minister Najib Razak and attend an official lunch.

Australia’s relationship with Malaysia is significant and growing.

The Prime Minister’s visit will progress bilateral cooperation on a range of economic and security issues, including negotiations towards a free trade agreement and addressing regional security challenges such as counter-terrorism and people smuggling.

On November 1 and 2, the Australian Prime Minister will visit Jakarta, Indonesia at the invitation of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The Prime Minister and President Yudhoyono will discuss ways to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and increase cooperation across a number of economic, security, development and environment challenges.

The Prime Minister’s trip comes after the Indonesian President’s historic visit to Australia in March 2010 and follows the commitment made by leaders to meet annually in either Australia or Indonesia.

Indonesia is an important partner for Australia. We share values and interests and are working closely together to address a number of regional and global challenges.

As previously announced the Australian Prime Minister’s international trip will begin by attending the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the inaugural ASEAN-Australia Leaders’ Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam on 29 to 31 October.

The EAS brings together the leaders of Australia’s regional partners, including the 10 ASEAN countries plus Japan, Korea, China, India and New Zealand.

The summit’s focus will be on building political, security and economic cooperation in the region and strengthening education, environmental and energy sector linkages.