7 June 1995
FIRST MEETING OF AUSTRALIA-RUSSIA JOINT COMMISSION
The Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, and the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Alexander Zaveryukha, led the respective delegations at the first meeting of the Australia-Russia Joint Commission, which was held in Canberra today.
Senator McMullan said the Joint Commission was the first high level trade and economic cooperation meeting between the two countries in the post-Soviet era.
"In an effort to expand bilateral trade and investment, today's meeting reviewed developments across a wide range of areas in the bilateral economic relationship," Senator McMullan said.
"There were open and constructive discussions on Australia's trade with Russia in wool, wheat, sugar and processed foods, and on cooperation in the minerals, energy and fishing sectors. There was agreement to seek to develop the trade and commercial relationship to the mutual benefit of both countries.
"Australia's trade with Russia is recovering from its 1992 low, with two-way trade increasing from $213 million in 1993 to $295 million in 1994."
Mr Zaveryukha, the most senior Russian Minister to visit Australia since the end of the Soviet Union, is on a four day visit hosted by Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Brian Howe. He is fourth in seniority in Prime Minister Chernomyrdin's government, with responsibility for agriculture and food industries.
Mr Zaveryukha is accompanied by a delegation of some thirty senior Russian government officials and business people - including the Governors of Primorsky, Khabarovsk and Krasnoyarsk regions in Russia's east; senior bankers; and aluminium industry executives.
As well as the Joint Commission, Mr Zaveryukha's visit includes meeting with Mr Howe and calls on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Gareth Evans, and the Minister for Resources, Mr David Beddall, plus appointments in Melbourne and Sydney with Australian business interests.
The Joint Statement from the Joint Commission can be obtained from Foreign Affairs on below number.
Further information:
Senator McMullan's office: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420
DFAT: Ian Wille, (06) 261 2902