The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner and UK Minister for International Defence and Security, Baroness Ann Taylor, met at Parliament House in Canberra, today, 6 October.

“Australia and the UK have a strong defence relationship based on shared history, common ideals and closely aligned strategic outlooks.  Our practical defence ties include operational cooperation in Afghanistan, extensive service-to-service links, capability and materiel cooperation, strategic dialogue, and science and technology cooperation,” Senator Faulkner said.

Senator Faulkner and Baroness Taylor discussed our respective commitments in Afghanistan and counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, our cooperation with NATO as a contact country and member of the NATO-led ISAF mission, and our respective engagement with Pakistan.

“Australian and UK commitments are helping the Government of Afghanistan to maintain a more stable and secure environment and to establish law and order by building the capability of the Afghan National Army”, Baroness Taylor said.

During the meeting Senator Faulkner and Baroness Taylor reiterated their commitment to the Joint Statement on the Australia-UK defence relationship, which outlines the depth and breadth of our defence ties.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to note the finalisation of the classified joint review of our defence relationship, as committed to by Prime Minister Rudd and UK Prime Minister Brown in their Joint Statement on the Strategic Partnership on 30 March 2009.

 

Images courtesy of the Australian Government, Department of Defence

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