PM Transcripts

Jjj AU ~ ALIA( Press Statement
24 April 1975
STATEMENT BY THlE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, THE HON.
E. G. WHITLAM, ON ARRIVAL IN LIMA, PERU
I am delighted to be in Peru and the historic
capital of Lima. This is the first visit to Peru by
an Australian Prime Minister indeed to any South
American country but it is not the first by a minister
of the Australian Labor Government. The Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Senator Willesee, visited Peru in 1974
during a tour which took him also to Mexico, Venezuela,
Argentina and Brazil. my visit will therefore build, at
the highest level, a firm and established friendship
between our countries, and develop the diplomatic and
economic links which exist between us.
I believe there is scope for both our countries
to work together more closely and to seek a deeper
understanding of each other's views. Australia and Peru
were members of the United Nations Security Council for 1973
and 1974; there are opportunities for further co-operation
in the United Nations. We. share many interests and
attributes in common. We are both medium powers;
we are both Pacific powers; we were both once colonies
of European powers; we are both rich in resources and
dependent for our economic well being on the export and
development of those resources. Above all, we both
believe there is a role for the medium powers in
shaping a world order based on peace and social justice.
I look forward keenly to my stay in this
important and respected country and to my talks with
President Velasco, Prime Minister Bermudez and other
ministers. With my Special Minister of State, Mr Bowen,
and my officials, I hope to discuss our bilateral commercial
relations, scientific and cultural co-operation, arms
control, resources and the law of the sea and to exchange
views on world problems in our different regions.
Australians admire the efforts of the Peruvian people to
develop their nation and preserve its economic independence
in the same sturdy spirit with which they asserted* their
political independence a century and a half ago.
I hope my visit will help us both move closer* to our
common goals of national progress and international
co-operation.
RELEASED ONLY IN LIMA. PERU