I am delighted to announce that the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the
Right Hon Helen Clark, MP, has accepted my invitation to visit Australia
from 1 - 2 March 2000, with talks in Sydney on 2 March.
This will be Prime Minister Clark's first visit to Australia as
Prime Minister. I very much look forward to working closely with her to
further strengthen the wide-ranging partnership which Australia and New
Zealand already enjoy.
The combined efforts of Australia and New Zealand in East Timor over
recent months are but one example of that partnership in action, contributing
significantly to peace and security in our region.
We will be discussing this and other key regional issues during Miss
Clark's visit, as well as ways in which to build on our already strong
economic and other ties. I warmly welcome these annual informal meetings
between the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers.