PM Transcripts

P . ng
he
Lii ild ed 4329
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 14 DECEMBER 1986
I will visit major Asian countries from 29 January to 13
February next year the Republic of Korea, Thailand,
Pakistan and India.
The Republic of Korea has an outstanding record of economic
growth in recent years and has become one of Australia's
most important trading partners. President Roh Tae-Woo was
a welcome visitor to Canberra in November during his first
overseas state visit. My return ' visit will allow me to
continue discussions and to observe at first hand the
positive political developments in that country.
Australia values its close relations with Thailand, which is
undergoing remarkably rapid economic growth. our two
countries have co-operated on issues of bilateral and
regional importance including Indo-China, refugees,
narcotics, economic development and trade issues. I look
forward to meeting my new counterpart, Prime Minister
Chatichai, and to discussing the full range of issues with
him.
my visit to Pakistan will allow me to meet Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto and will reinforce international support for
Pakistan's welcome return to democratic civilian rule. This
will be the first visit to Pakistan by an Australian Prime
Minister since 1975, when Prime Minister Bhutto's father
hosted a visit by Mr Whitlam.
India and Australia have always enjoyed close relations.
our membership of the Commonwealth, our interests in the
Indian Ocean region, and our mutual concern over
international issues such as South Africa have seen our two
countries working closely together in the international
arena. I welcome this opportunity to v~ isit the world's
largest democracy and to continue valuable dialogue with
Prime Minister Gandhi, who visited Australia in 1986 and
whom I have enjoyed meeting on many other occasions. My
visit will also provide an invaluable opportunity to
reinforce further the economic and trading links between our
two countries.