Aussie PM to reaffirm commitment to Asia<\/p>\n
CANBERRA (AFP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard will
\nstress his government's commitment to strengthening ties with
\nAsia during his first bilateral talks overseas as leader next
\nweek, a government official said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"The basic message for the Prime Minister will be to affirm
\nhis commitment to the region,\" the official said.<\/p>\n
Howard departs on Monday for the Indonesian capital Jakarta,
\nwhere talks with President Soeharto and senior ministers are
\nexpected to focus on both sides' plans for regional and bilateral
\neconomic integration.<\/p>\n
He will then fly to Tokyo, where he will hold extensive talks
\nwith Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and other ministers, and
\npay a courtesy visit to Emperor Akihito.<\/p>\n
Government officials said Howard was well aware of the
\nsignificance regional leaders would attach to his decision to
\nvisit the region before heading further afield, especially the
\nchoice of Indonesia and Japan for his first bilateral talks
\noverseas.<\/p>\n
His government has already sent Foreign Minister Alexander
\nDowner and Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer to Jakarta twice,
\nwhile Defense Minister Ian McLachlan has also held high-level
\ntalks in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
At least three government ministers, including Treasurer Peter
\nCostello, have visited Japan since Howard's coalition government
\nwon office in March.<\/p>\n
\"In places like Japan and Indonesia they'll be very keen to
\nhear what the prime minister has to say about the approach he and
\nthe government are going to take to the region, and to those
\ncountries,\" the official said.<\/p>\n
\"One of the top priorities for him will be to establish a good
\nworking relationship with both President Soeharto and Prime
\nMinister Hashimoto. For Australia it is very important to have
\nclose relationships (with those leaders).\"<\/p>\n
In both capitals Howard has planned several private dinners
\nand meetings with leading local business figures.<\/p>\n
The trip was originally scheduled for August, but was
\npostponed after Howard's wife Janette required surgery -- making
\nhis early September trip to the South Pacific Forum in the
\nMarshall Islands his first overseas foray as prime minister.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aussie-pm-to-reaffirm-commitment-to-asia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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