Media releases
Thursday 11 July 2002 - MVT071/2002
Visit to Australia by European Trade Commissioner
Trade Minister Mark Vaile today announced the visit to Australia
by the European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy, from 15-17 July.
Speaking from Dubai, Mr Vaile said the visit by the European Union’s
most senior trade official demonstrated and provided an opportunity
to reinforce the dynamic and comprehensive relationship between Australia
and the European Union.
“Commissioner Lamy’s visit to Australia will provide an invaluable
opportunity to continue our discussions on the World Trade Organisation’s
(WTO) Doha Development Round as well as dialogue on a range of trade
interests,” Mr Vaile said.
“I intend to canvass fully the Cairns Group’s negotiating objectives
in the agriculture negotiations, including the scope for narrowing
the differences between Australian and European Union positions.”
“We will also discuss areas, such as trade in services, industrial
tariffs and trade and development, in which Australia and the European
Union can work together to advance the round and ensure its success,”
Mr Vaile said.
Commissioner Lamy is also expected to hold meetings with Prime Minister
John Howard and senior Cabinet Ministers.
“These meetings will provide an excellent opportunity for the Government
to engage Commissioner Lamy on issues such as the European economy,
the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the prospective
enlargement of the EU.
“Ten countries from Central and Eastern Europe are likely to join
the 15 members of the European Union as early as 2004, and we are
keen to discuss the likely impact of this enlargement on Australian
interests.”
During his visit Mr Lamy will meet with members of the Australian
Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) to discuss the contribution an open
trading system can make to development. He will also meet senior
business leaders and will address a breakfast meeting, hosted by the
European Australia Business Council, on the topic The EU and Australia:
Challenges and Opportunities.
“I am delighted to welcome Commissioner Lamy to Australia. His visit
is very timely following so closely on the Prime Minister’s meeting
this week with the full European Commission in Brussels,” Mr Vaile
said.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 21-Nov-2008 17:34:03 EST
