PM Transcripts

THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER ANT) MINISTER FOR TRADE
ACTING MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MEDIA RELEASE 2 July 1997
DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENT: AMBASSADOR TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
YUGOSLAVIA
The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tim Fischer, today announced the appointment of Mr
Christopher Lamb as Australian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with
non-resident accreditation to Romania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Mr Lamb
will replace Mr Noel Campbell.
Australia's relationship with the countries of accreditation is based on community ties and
commercial links. With exports increasing to $ 104 million in 1996, Romania has now surpassed
Russia as our largest export market in Central and Eastern Europe and Australian investment there
is also growing.
The Australian Embassy in Belgrade, in close co-operation with Austrade representatives in the
region, is working to identify new opportunities for Australian trade and investment in all three
countries of accreditation, and in particular Romania where the Government believes there is
greatest scope for commercial development in the short to medium term. More modest potential
has been identified in the other two countries. Central to the Australian Governiment's role in the
region is a continued and concerted effort to eliminate impediments to fair trade.
Mr Lamb commenced work with the then Department of External Affairs ( 1968) in the Legal and
Treaties Branch. After overseas postings in Australian Missions in Vienna, Rangoon and the
United Nations New York, he was Minister in Bangkok as well as Permanent Representative to the
United Nations Economic and Social Commnission for Asia and the Pacific ( ESCAP) ( 1984-86),
Ambassador to Myanmar ( 1986-89). He was then Minister in Washington ( 1989-92), with
responsibility for Congressional Relations. In Canberra his assignments have included Acting
Head, Public Information Office ( 1974), Director, Foreign Service Training ( 1975), Head, United
Nations Political and Legal Sections ( 1980-83), Assistant Secretary, General Legal and Immigration
Branch ( 1983). He has been the Department's Legal Adviser ( including responsibility for
Refugees Immigration and Asylum) since 1993.
Mr Lamb is a graduate of the Australian National University.
Mr Lamb is expected to take up his appointment in August 1997.
Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600 Tel ( 06) 277 7420 Fax ( 06) 273 4128
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