5 years ago
VISIT TO FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
SENATOR THE HON MARISE PAYNE
I will visit Paris and London on 26 and 27 February.
In Paris, I will meet with my counterpart, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to finalise our joint report on the Australia-France initiative (AFiniti), which our leaders announced during President Macron’s visit to Australia in May 2018.
During my visit to France I will also discuss our cooperation in the Pacific with both Minister Le Drian and Minister for Overseas France, Annick Girardin, and our growing defence partnership with France’s Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly.
In London, I will meet with UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to progress our enduring strategic partnership, as well as to discuss preparations for Brexit and our shared efforts to promote the international rules based order, including in the Indo-Pacific.
The UK is our equal 7th largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at almost $28 billion, and our second largest source of foreign direct investment, totalling more than $480 billion.