Visit to the Philippines

I will visit Cebu, the Philippines, from 11 to 12 January to participate in the rescheduled second East Asia Summit.

I will attend, on behalf of Mr Downer, the Summit’s working lunch for foreign affairs ministers on 12 January. I will also participate in activities for economic ministers in Cebu.

Australia’s involvement as a founding member of the East Asia Summit is testament to the depth of our bilateral and regional ties. I look forward to Australia contributing to the Summit’s development as it further defines its role in regional integration and community building. Discussions at the second Summit will cover a range of priority issues affecting our region, including energy, financial issues and avian influenza.

While in Cebu, I will also meet separately with my Trade Ministry counterparts from Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

The East Asia Summit member countries account collectively for more than 60 percent of our merchandise trade exports. In 2006, Australian goods exports to the other 15 member countries grew by 21 percent to $94 billion.

ENDS

Media Inquiries: Minister Truss' office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555